Despite vast research in the field of biology and treatment, melanoma is increasing in incidence. Early diagnosis is therefore of utmost importance to reduce the mortality rate. Many studies found an increase in the survival rate for men and women due to the early diagnosis and surgical treatment. Many information campaigns involving the mass media system with the aim to inform people about this cancer obtained a successful impact with a favourable costs/benefits ratio. Studies on physicians' global assessment for identifying the presence or the absence of melanoma have estimated a sensitivity ranging from 50 to 97%, with specificity of 96-99% (DeCoste SD, Arch Dermatol 1993; Grin CM, Arch Dermatol 1990; Koh HK Cancer 1990; Curley RK BMJ 1989). High expectations are entertained for a technique known as dermoscopy or dermatoscopy or epiluminescence light microscopy .
Dermoscopy allows the early detection of melanomas through the visual inspection of skin subsurface structures of Pigmented Skin Lesions (PSL) not visible by the naked eye. The left side of the image it is reported as seen by tradictional inspection. The right side, observed through dermoscopy, reveals a new enhanced semiology.
Dermoscopy reveals many morphological aspects thus helping the experts in the early detection of melanoma
The image quality and the technology of instruments play an important rule in the aided diagnosis. Please select with your mouse a lesion in order to see the zoom.
|
|---|
