Centre of Evidence Based Dermatology
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 Skin cancer research

Skin cancers are on the increase due to sun exposure habits and an increasingly ageing population.
 
Research overview
 

Skin cancer is the commonest form of cancer in humans and is broadly divided into basal & squamous cell carcinoma (also known as keratinocyte or non-melanoma skin cancer) and melanoma skin cancer.

Keratinocyte cancers are extremely common and rarely life threatening. Melanoma is much less common, but it is a much more serious disease once it has spread throughout the body. 

Our research into skin cancer involves clinical trials of new and old treatments, and evidence summaries of the various treatments on offer. We are also interested in finding out the best ways to diagnose suspicious skin lesions, as well as trying to find better ways to make sure that tumours are removed completely during the first operation.

Recent projects
 
Raman spectral imaging for automated Mohs micrographic surgery of high-risk basal cell carcinoma - Looking at whether Raman microscopy could help reduce the amount of healthy tissue removed during skin cancer surgery.

Surgery vs imiquimod for nodular and superficial basal cell carcinoma (SINS) trial - The SINS trial compared excisional surgery  with imiquimod cream for nodular and superficial basal cell carcinoma.
 

Outcomes & diagnostics

None at present.
 

Resources

Skinsafe Interactive Tool A downloadable application about malignant melanoma and skin-examinations
 
 

All projects

ProjectDescriptionFundingStatus
Raman spectral imaging for automated Mohs micrographic surgery of high-risk basal cell carcinoma Looking at whether Raman microscopy could help reduce the amount of healthy tissue removed during skin cancer surgery. NIHR II-AR-0209-10012

Ongoing
Surgery vs imiquimod for nodular and superficial basal cell carcinoma (SINS) trial  The SINS trial compared excisional surgery  with imiquimod cream for nodular and superficial basal cell carcinoma. CRUK/02/006

Published
Effect of topical imiquimod on lentigo maligna (LIMIT-1) trial  The LIMIT-1 trial was designed to determine whether imiquimod is a sufficiently effective treatment for lentigo maligna NIHR PB-PG-0407-11288 Published
Interventions for non-metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the skin  A Cochrane review of randomised controlled trials evaluating the treatment of squamous cell skin cancer. NIHR PGfAR - RP-PG-0407-10177 Published
A systematic review of observational studies of interventions for primary, non-metastatic SCC of the skin A review which compared all types of treatment for non-metastatic squamous cell skin cancer reported in observational studies. NIHR PGfAR - RP-PG-0407-10177  Published
Study to examine patterns in incidence, risk factors and treatments of BCC in primary care using the THIN database To determine the variation in BCC throughout the U.K. University of Nottingham and NHS R&D Support Funding Published

Centre of Evidence Based Dermatology

The University of Nottingham
Applied Health Research Building
University Park, Nottingham
NG7 2RD


telephone: +44 (0) 115 84 68631
email: cebd@nottingham.ac.uk