Clinical Perspective of 3D Total Body Photography for Early Detection and Screening of Melanoma

Abstract

Melanoma incidence continues to increase across many populations globally and there is significant mortality associated with advanced disease. However, if detected early, patients have a very promising prognosis. The methods that have been utilized for early detection include clinician and patient skin examinations, dermoscopy (static and sequential imaging), and total body photography via 2D imaging. Total body photography has recently witnessed an evolution from 2D imaging with the ability to now create a 3D representation of the patient linked with dermoscopy images of individual lesions. 3D total body photography is a particularly beneficial screening tool for patients at high risk due to their personal or family history or those with multiple dysplastic naevi-the latter can make monitoring especially difficult without the assistance of technology. In this perspective, we discuss clinical examples utilizing 3D total body photography, associated advantages and limitations, and future directions of the technology. The optimal system for melanoma screening should improve diagnostic accuracy, be time and cost efficient, and accessible to patients across all demographic and socioeconomic groups. 3D total body photography has the potential to address these criteria and, most importantly, optimize crucial early detection.

Keywords: dermoscopy; early detection; melanoma; prevention; skin cancer; total body photography.

Figure 1

Evolution of a stable naevus to a melanoma in situ. (A) 3D total body map of naevi at first visit. (B) Digitally magnified 3D total body map of corresponding naevus at first, second and third visit. (C) Respective dermoscopy image at each visit.