Software was allowed to clear patients from a suspected skin cancer pathway on its own at two UK hospitals. The researchers estimate the freed capacity was worth more than 8,500 in-person dermatology visits.
The real-world results were presented at the EADV Congress 2026. Over 16 months the program took in 8,391 patients, about 94% of urgent suspected skin cancer referrals at the two sites.
The pathway leaned on a regulatory-cleared device, a CE-marked Class III system. It read smartphone photos of lesions, taken both in clinic and through a dermatoscope. Benign cases were cleared automatically, while riskier ones went to a teledermatologist for review.
At one site the software cleared just under a third of cases unaided; at the other, a quarter. Teledermatologists added roughly another quarter at each. Routine follow-up dropped sharply, ending near 12%.
Investigators counted 2,851 clinician hours saved. Their verdict: the approach deserves more study before any wider rollout.
