RecruitingOBSERVATIONAL

Artificial Intelligence Based Melanoma Early Diagnosis and Risk Prediction in Children, Adolescents and Young Adults

This research is looking at how Artificial Intelligence (AI) can help doctors spot skin cancer, specifically melanoma, at an early stage. The main focus is on children, teenagers, and young adults. The study aims to develop special computer programs that can analyse pictures of skin spots. One program will help doctors during skin checks to decide if a spot might be cancerous. Another program will help specialists called pathologists examine skin samples more closely. The goal is to make these AI tools easy to understand, so doctors can trust and use them effectively. Importantly, patients won't need to do anything extra for this study, as it uses information already collected during their regular hospital visits.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Sponsor

German Cancer Research Center

Enrolment target

3,000

Start

01 Dec 2022

Estimated completion

30 Nov 2026

Melanoma (Skin Cancer)Artificial Intelligence (AI)Pediatric Cancer

What is this study about?

This research project is all about using clever computer programs, known as Artificial Intelligence or AI, to help doctors identify skin cancer, specifically melanoma. Melanoma can be serious, so finding it early is very important. This study specifically focuses on young people – children, teenagers, and adults up to the age of 30 – because diagnosing skin conditions in this age group can sometimes be tricky. The aim is to create tools that can tell the difference between melanoma and common, harmless spots on the skin, helping to give patients the right diagnosis sooner.

The study has a couple of main goals. Firstly, it wants to develop an AI program that can look at special pictures of skin spots (called dermatoscopic images) to help doctors during routine skin checks. This would act as an extra helper during exams, especially for people who might be more at risk. Secondly, the project is working on another AI program for pathologists. These are the specialists who look at tiny samples of skin under a microscope. This second program would help them examine samples more thoroughly if a skin spot is still thought to be suspicious after an initial check.

Crucially, the researchers are also working on making sure these AI tools are 'explainable'. This means they want the computer programs to show doctors how they reached their conclusions, rather than just giving an answer. This helps doctors understand better, trust the technology more, and make sure the tools are fair and helpful for everyone. This way, AI can truly support medical professionals in making the best decisions for patients.

Key takeaways

AI is being developed to help spot skin cancer (melanoma) early.
The focus is on helping children, teenagers, and young adults.
This study uses existing medical images; no extra patient involvement is needed.
The AI aims to help doctors distinguish between dangerous and harmless skin spots.
The goal is to make AI tools explainable and easy for doctors to trust.
This research could lead to quicker and more accurate skin cancer diagnoses.

Who may be eligible?

This study is looking at information from people who have either been diagnosed with melanoma (skin cancer) or with a nevus (a common type of mole). The researchers will be studying images from these individuals.

While anyone's images might be considered, if you don't have a diagnosis of melanoma or a nevus, your information won't be included in this particular study. Also, if the pictures of your skin or moles aren't clear enough for the computer to analyse properly, they might not be used.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Have you been diagnosed with melanoma (skin cancer)?
Have you been diagnosed with a nevus (a common type of mole)?
Are there clear images of your skin spots or moles in your medical records?
Are you under 30, or has your data been collected recently?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

Good news! If your images are used in this study, you won't need to do anything extra. This research uses patient information and images that are already collected during your usual hospital appointments and check-ups. So, there are no special visits, extra tests, or new medications involved if your data is included. There's no additional time commitment asked of you at all.

Potential risks and benefits

There are no direct risks to participants in this study because it uses information that has already been collected as part of routine care, and you won't be asked to do anything new. The potential benefit is that the results could help create better tools for doctors to diagnose skin cancer earlier and more accurately in the future, particularly for younger patients. While there are no direct benefits to you as an individual from your data being used, you have the right to withdraw your consent for your data to be used at any point, should you choose to.

Locations (3)

University of Tübingen
Verified postcode
Tübingen, Germany· Completed
University of Florence
Verified postcode
Florence, Italy· Completed
Hospital Clínic de Barcelona
Verified postcode
Barcelona, Spain· Recruiting

Common questions

What is AI?

AI stands for Artificial Intelligence. It's about making computer programs that can learn and solve problems, similar to how people think.

Will this study look at my personal details?

The study uses medical images and related information, but it focuses on developing the AI tools. Your privacy and data security are very important.

How will this help patients?

By developing better AI tools, doctors hope to diagnose skin cancer like melanoma more quickly and accurately, especially in young people, which can lead to better treatment outcomes.

Do I need to do anything if I'm part of this study?

No, you don't need to do anything extra. The study uses information and images that are already collected during your normal healthcare visits.

Is this AI replacing doctors?

No, absolutely not. The AI tools are being developed to support doctors, helping them make more informed decisions, not to replace their expertise.

How to find out more

Titus J Brinker, PD Dr. med

titus.brinker@nct-heidelberg.de +49 15175084347 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.