Current technologies for the in vivo diagnosis of cutaneous melanomas

Clin Dermatol. 2004 May-Jun;22(3):217-22. doi: 10.1016/j.clindermatol.2003.12.008.

Abstract

The rising incidence of cutaneous malignant melanoma has been observed in the past decades. Currently, there is no cure for metastatic melanoma; only early diagnosis followed by prompt excision of cutaneous lesions ensures a good prognosis. The clinical ABCD rule is created as a framework for differentiating melanomas from benign pigmented skin lesions, and it serves as the basis for current clinical diagnosis. The ABCD rule relies on four simple clinical morphologies of melanoma: 1) Asymmetry, 2) Border irregularity, 3) Color variegation, and 4) Diameter greater than 6 mm. Although it is valuable, it has its limitations. Currently, the diagnostic accuracy for physicians is about 65%. This statistic implies that 1) melanomas with subtle signs are missed as benign lesions, and 2) benign lesions are over diagnosed as melanomas, which lead to unnecessary biopsies.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Dermoscopy
  • Humans
  • Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / methods*
  • Melanoma / diagnosis*
  • Melanoma / diagnostic imaging
  • Melanoma / pathology
  • Microscopy, Confocal / methods*
  • Skin Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Skin Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
  • Skin Neoplasms / pathology
  • Ultrasonography / methods