Enhancing Skin Cancer Diagnosis with Dermoscopy

Dermatol Clin. 2017 Oct;35(4):417-437. doi: 10.1016/j.det.2017.06.003. Epub 2017 Aug 7.

Abstract

Dermoscopy increases the sensitivity for skin cancer detection, decreases the number of benign lesions biopsied for each malignant diagnosis, and enables the diagnosis of thinner melanomas compared with naked eye examination. Multiple meta-analyses have identified that dermoscopy improves the diagnostic accuracy for melanoma when compared with naked eye examination. In addition, studies have established that dermoscopy can aid in the detection of keratinocyte carcinomas. Dermoscopy triage algorithms have been developed to help novices decide when a biopsy or a referral is most appropriate. In this article, the authors illustrate the dermoscopic features that assist in identifying melanoma and keratinocyte carcinomas.

Keywords: Dermatoscopy; Dermoscopy; Diagnostic accuracy; Keratinocyte carcinomas; Melanoma; Odds ratio; Sensitivity; Specificity.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Algorithms
  • Carcinoma, Basal Cell / diagnostic imaging*
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / diagnostic imaging*
  • Dermoscopy*
  • Humans
  • Keratoacanthoma / diagnostic imaging
  • Keratosis, Actinic / diagnostic imaging
  • Melanoma / diagnostic imaging*
  • Skin Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging*