New diagnostic aids for melanoma

Abstract

Detection of melanoma at an early stage is crucial to improving survival rates in melanoma. Accurate diagnosis by current techniques including dermatoscopy remains difficult, and new tools are needed to improve our diagnostic abilities. This article discusses recent advances in diagnostic techniques including confocal scanning laser microscopy, MelaFind, SIAscopy, and noninvasive genomic detection, as well as other future possibilities to aid in diagnosing melanoma. Advantages and barriers to implementation of the various technologies are also discussed.

Figure 1

Dermatoscopic image of an invasive melanoma.

Figure 2

Histopathology (A) and confocal microscopy (B) from an in situ melanoma. Images courtesy of Harold Rabinovitz, MD.

Figure 2

Histopathology (A) and confocal microscopy (B) from an in situ melanoma. Images courtesy of Harold Rabinovitz, MD.

Figure 3

Figure 3A: A representative schematic of multispectral image analysis of a pigmented lesion showing 10 images from multiple depths within the skin. Figure 3B: Actual images from multispectral image analysis showing a digitally detected margin from most superficial (430nm) to deepest (950nm)

Figure 3

Figure 3A: A representative schematic of multispectral image analysis of a pigmented lesion showing 10 images from multiple depths within the skin. Figure 3B: Actual images from multispectral image analysis showing a digitally detected margin from most superficial (430nm) to deepest (950nm)