DS15 Comparing the costs of monitoring vs. excision of an indeterminate naevus

Abstract Skin cancer referrals in the UK continue to rise, with an increasing burden on the National Health Service. Many naevi are difficult to diagnose clinically as definitively benign or malignant. There is debate about whether these naevi, termed ‘indeterminate naevi’, are best excised or monitored after initial presentation. Thus, our aim was to compare the costs associated with each management strategy. Data on indeterminate naevi presenting between September 2021 and February 2022 were retrospectively analysed. The surveillance arm included 63 patients, and the excision arm, 55 patients. The mean cost per patient seen was £732 in the excision arm and £924 in the surveillance arm. When a patient was seen for one follow-up, the cost was £775, which increased to £1178 after two follow-ups. The cost of excising an indeterminate naevus is lower than that of monitoring. Serial monitoring on more than one occasion results in higher costs.