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Updated: Jun 15, 2026

Combining Reflectance Confocal Microscopy with Optical Coherence Tomography for Noninvasive Diagnosis of Skin Cancers via Image Acquisition
Published on: August 18, 2022
Increased prevalence of left-sided skin cancers
Susan T Butler1, Scott W Fosko
1Department of Dermatology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri 63104, USA. suzybutler1@gmail.com
Background:
Previous research has shown an increase in photodamage and precancers on the left side of the face.
Objective:
We sought to determine whether there is a higher frequency of skin cancer development on the left side of the body than the right.
Methods:
The study was a retrospective review of patients with skin cancer referred to our Mohs micrographic surgery and cutaneous oncology unit in 2004.
Results:
When including all types of skin cancers and both sexes, more cancers occurred on the left (52.6%) than the right (47.4%) (P = .059), with a stronger trend in men (P = .042). There were significantly more malignant melanoma in situ on the left (31/42, 74%) than the right (11/42, 26%) (P = .002).
Limitations:
Population was comprised of patients referred to an academic medical center and often for Mohs micrographic surgery.
Conclusions:
There were significantly more skin cancers on the left than the right side in men. This discrepancy was even more profound in malignant melanoma in situ.
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