Implementation of Total Body Photography for Skin Cancer Early Detection: A Systematic Review.

In 30 seconds

This systematic review examined how total body photography (TBP) has been implemented and used for skin cancer detection and surveillance across healthcare settings. A search through July 2025 identified 36 studies, synthesised narratively because of heterogeneity in designs, aims, and reporting. Only six studies described implementation-related aspects, including protocol feasibility, user perceptions, or practical use of TBP and artificial intelligence. Although technologies advanced to support lesion documentation, monitoring, and diagnostic decisions, reported TBP workflows changed relatively little over time. The review found limited evidence on real-world implementation and no use of a formal implementation science framework.

Key findings

• Of 36 included studies, only six reported implementation-related aspects such as feasibility, user perceptions, or practical technology use.
• No included study applied a formal implementation science framework.
• Technological advances supported lesion documentation, monitoring, and diagnostic decision-making, while descriptions of TBP workflows remained relatively consistent.
• Several studies reported that healthcare professionals from multiple disciplines could feasibly conduct TBP-aided skin examinations.

Why it matters

TBP and related digital tools may support skin surveillance, but their potential depends on workable integration into varied clinical settings. The review shows that evidence describing implementation, workforce roles, and real-world processes remains sparse. Better reporting of these factors would help assess whether approaches can be adapted and scaled, including in resource-constrained settings.

What to keep in mind

The evidence base was heterogeneous in study designs, objectives, and reporting quality, limiting synthesis; implementation reporting was sparse.