NCT03848078

(Cost)-Effectiveness of Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) in Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC)

(Cost)-Effectiveness of Optical Coherence Tomography Versus Regular Punch Biopsy in the Diagnosis and Subtyping of Basal Cell Carcinoma: a Multi Center Randomized Non-inferiority Trial

• Status: Unknown
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 598 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Maastricht University Medical Center · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

A multi-centre randomized non-inferiority trial investigating the (cost-)effectiveness of Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) versus regular punch biopsy in the diagnosis and subtyping of Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC).

Detailed description

Skin cancer incidence rises worldwide due to high sun exposure and ageing. Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most prevalent form, with a lifetime risk of 16-20% in the Netherlands. Currently, the gold standard for diagnosing and subtyping BCC is a punch biopsy. Since this technique is invasive, new non-invasive diagnostic methods have been developed, including optical coherence tomography (OCT). In patients with clinical and dermoscopic suspicion of BCC, OCT makes it possible to confirm and subtype BCC with high confidence, thereby obviating the need for a punch biopsy in a substantial part of patients. Hence, BCC diagnosis and treatment can be accomplished in one day. As a result, patients experience less distress and costs can be saved. By discussing diagnosis and treatment with the patient directly, care can be provided more efficiently, preventing treatment delay and saving extra hospital visits. The investigators hypothesize that the use of OCT is a cost-effective strategy when compared to regular care (always punch biopsy). However, it is important to evaluate whether an alternative OCT guided diagnostic approach does not lead to an unacceptable increase in risk of recurrent BCC.

Conditions

• Basal Cell Carcinoma
• Optical Coherence Tomography

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
DEVICE	Optical Coherence Tomography	OCT is an imaging technique, which is able to produce real-time, in vivo, cross-sectional images of lesions with a depth of 1,5-2 mm. OCT imaging is based on light-interferometry, calculating the interference of an optical beam reflected by the tissue with a reference. In such ways, microscopic details of lesions and tissues can be visualized. This information can be used to identify a lesion as BCC, and to specify the subtype. Therefore, we assume that the use of the OCT might reduce the number of biopsies and the accompanying morbidity. The investigator scans 6mm of skin with the OCT (30 seconds) and decides whether the lesion is a BCC or not.

Timeline

• Start date: 2019-02-26
• Primary completion: 2021-08-31
• Completion: 2021-10-01
• First posted: 2019-02-20
• Last updated: 2021-02-25

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Netherlands