Total body skin examination for skin cancer screening in patients with focused complaints

Background. The value of total body skin examination (TBSE) for skin cancer screening is controversial. Objective: We sought to determine whether TBSE could be helpful in patients with focused skin symptoms who would not otherwise have undergone TBSE. Methods: In a prospective, multicenter, cross-sectional study consecutive adult patients were recruited during a period of 18 months. Physicians first inspected, problem areas and uncovered areas and then performed TBSE. Equivocal lesions detected in both steps were excised or biopsied. Primary outcomes were the absolute and relative risks of missing skin cancer and the number of patients needed to examine to detect melanoma or another maligna…