History

Prof Danijela Dobrosavljević Vukojević, MD, PhDn dermatovenerologist
Clinic of Dermatovenereology, Faculty of medicine, Belgrade University, Serbia

History

Serbia is one of the countries where dermatoscopy began to be applied even before the official
start of this diagnostic method, in February 2001 (First World Congress for Dermoscopy
Rome). Namely, in 1998, two surgeons, in two different Belgrade centers in Serbia, started applying this
method. In the clinical center "Bežanijska kosa" with the purchase of the MaxMolII system, Ass
Dejan Nikolić begins his pioneering work. That same year, at the CKT (Center for Skin Tumors)...
Prim. Dr. Jadran Bandić begins applying dermoscopy and developing his own expert system.
system (BEST cdvd software), which he fully completes and authorizes in 2000. The two
of them formed the foundation of a group of enthusiasts who, on March 17, 2002, in Pančevo, founded the Association for
Dermoscopy of Serbia (UDS).
The need to etablish an association, similar to those already existing in developed countries
is a way to introduce dermoscopy as a non-invasive method for the early diagnosis
of benign and malignant skin tumors into the routine practice of all doctors. Particular emphasis is placed on
the need for the education of plastic surgeons, general surgeons, oncologists, dermatologists, and pathologists, while
doctors of other specialties, as well as general practitioners, have their place in dermoscopy.
Additionally, members of the association can also be experts from other fields who, with their knowledge and
innovations, can improve the method itself.
The association has so far held several seminars on dermoscopy attended by doctors
raznih specijalnosti kao i lekari opšte prakse. Tokom 22 godine rada, etablirali smo
dermoscopy as a modern diagnostic method in the diagnosis of skin tumors.
We have organized 24 courses on dermoscopy and teledermoscopy in Serbia and neighboring countries
and we have trained over 700 doctors. Furthermore, in collaboration with other institutions and
individuals, several seminars have been organized in Užice, Novi Sad, Belgrade, Republika
Srpska, Sarajevo, Skopje, and Ohrid.
Collaboration with international associations, especially IDS (International Society of Dermoscopy), was crowned by the election of Prim. Dr. Jadran Bandić as the first board member from Serbia in 2004. IDS (International society of
dermoscopy) was crowned by the election of Prim. Dr. Jadran Bandić as the first board member from Serbia
in 2004.
Over the past years, it has been shown that dermatologists, primarily, show the greatest
interest in this diagnostic method, but that there is also a need for education among doctors of other
there is a need for education in this field.
UDS becomes SUKK
The years of the COVID pandemic have left an indelible mark on the practice and treatment of both patients
as well as doctors. The unavailability of timely and accurate diagnostics led to, as a consequence
an increase in the detection of advanced stages of all skin cancers, including melanoma. The need
for direct contact and collaboration between experts of various specialties in the treatment of these patients
has created the need for the Serbian Dermoscopy Association (UDS) to transform into the Serbian
Association for Skin Cancers (SUKK) in July 2024.

Introduction of dermatoscopy in the healthcare system of Serbia
On September 26, 2005, dermoscopy, as a highly specialized
service, was introduced into the healthcare system of Serbia. The first public institution to officially introduce
this method was the Skin Clinic of the Clinical Center of Serbia in Belgrade. The report for the introduction of the new
method was written by Assoc. Dr. Danijela Dobrosavljević. The process of introducing this method in all
levels, including secondary and tertiary levels, as well as determining the prices of all services, was completed
on November 2, 2023 (Official Gazette of the Republic of Serbia No. 96, 02.11.2023).