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InstaDiag Skin: Speeding Up the Diagnosis of Locally Advanced or Metastatic Skin Carcinomas
Locally advanced or metastatic skin carcinoma requires prompt specialized evaluation. When locally advanced, it can extend deep into the skin or into nearby tissues. When metastatic, it can spread to the lymph nodes or other organs. InstaDiag Skin allows all the necessary consultations and tests to be scheduled within a single day to assess the disease and propose a personalized care plan.
InstaDiag Skin—what is it?
InstaDiag Skin is a rapid diagnostic pathway designed for locally advanced or metastatic skin carcinomas. It allows for the coordination—all within a single day—of a dermatological evaluation, a surgical consultation, a review of previously performed tests, and, if necessary, the completion of additional tests. The patient is supported by a multidisciplinary team, which may include dermatologists, surgeons, radiologists, interventional radiologists, radiation oncologists, nuclear medicine physicians, pathologists, and oncologists. The goal is to determine the extent of the disease and establish an appropriate treatment strategy.
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90%
Skin carcinomas account for about 90 percent of skin cancers diagnosed in France.
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1 day
The InstaDiag Skin program allows patients to undergo a comprehensive assessment of their condition—ideally within a single day—and to develop a tailored treatment plan.
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15 days
Test results are discussed at a multidisciplinary team meeting within 15 days. A personalized care plan is then proposed.
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A file prepared in advance: The patient must provide all relevant information, including biopsy results, test results from previous examinations, imaging reports, medical and surgical history, and current treatments.
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A dermatology consultation: The dermatologist takes a medical history, examines the skin, palpates the lymph node areas, and may perform a dermoscopic examination of the entire skin. Additional skin biopsies may be necessary.
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A consultation with a surgeon: Depending on the situation, an ENT surgeon or plastic surgeon will assess the feasibility of surgical treatment and review the test results already obtained with the medical team.
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Coordinated tests: The necessary tests are completed within the same day. They may include a review of imaging studies, a blood test, a lymph node ultrasound with fine-needle aspiration, a CT scan, or an MRI. Some tests require time to perform or to obtain results.
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Personalized care: The results are discussed during a multidisciplinary consultation meeting, and then a tailored treatment plan is proposed to the patient.
The process may include, among other things:
• a dermatology consultation;
• a consultation with an ENT or plastic surgeon;
• a review of imaging tests already performed;
• a blood test;
• a lymph node ultrasound with fine-needle aspiration;
• a CT scan or MRI;
• a skin or lymph node biopsy, if necessary;
• a PET scan, depending on the situation;
• an anesthesia consultation if surgery is being considered;
• a discussion of the case during a multidisciplinary team meeting.
These tests and consultations are not routine. They are recommended based on the type of skin cancer, its extent, tests already performed, the patient’s overall health, and the purpose of the evaluation. Some results—particularly those from a biopsy or certain imaging tests—may require additional time to process.
Who is InstaDiag Peau intended for?
InstaDiag Skin is intended for patients with locally advanced or metastatic skin carcinoma. This care pathway applies to situations requiring rapid specialized evaluation, particularly when the disease is more complex, cannot be managed within the framework of a standard outpatient clinic, or requires additional tests to determine the extent of the disease and define the treatment strategy.
Useful documents include the letter from the referring physician referring the patient to Gustave Roussy, the results of the skin biopsy, reports from previous tests, the corresponding imaging studies—including lymph node ultrasound, CT scans, or MRIs—as well as a list of the patient’s medical and surgical history and current treatments.
The process is designed to complete the evaluation in a single day. However, the visit may take several hours. Some tests can be performed on the same day, while others—such as a lymph node biopsy, a skin biopsy, or a PET scan—may require scheduling or a waiting period for results.
The care pathway may involve a multidisciplinary team that includes dermatologists, surgeons, radiologists, interventional radiologists, nuclear medicine physicians, pathologists, radiation oncologists, and medical oncologists. This approach allows for a comprehensive assessment of the disease, treatment options, and the patient’s associated needs.
After the diagnosis: What's the next step?
Following the evaluation, the results are discussed in a multidisciplinary team meeting to develop a personalized care plan. Depending on the situation, treatment may include a combination of surgery, radiation therapy, and systemic therapies. If surgery is being considered, an anesthesia consultation can be scheduled for the same day.
Schedule an appointment for InstaDiag Skin
The InstaDiag Skin pathway is intended for patients with locally advanced or metastatic skin cancer who require a rapid specialized evaluation. If your situation meets the criteria for this pathway, you may submit a request for an appointment along with your available medical records so that the teams can evaluate your request and arrange the necessary tests.
Bibliography
[1] National Cancer Institute. Epidemiology of Skin Cancers. Updated May 28, 2026.
[2] French National Authority for Health. Joint INCa-HAS Guideline, Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Diagnostic and Therapeutic Management. Posted online on July 8, 2010. https://www.has-sante.fr
[3] Gustave Roussy. Skin Cancer, Treatment.