Diagnostic techniques for primary cutaneous melanoma.
Despite the rising incidence of melanoma in the Caucasian population, there has not been a concomitantly dramatic increase in mortality, which is due, in part, to the advent of better tools that have been made available for the early detection of melanoma. This article presents an overview of some of the recent diagnostic developments that are of potential interest to practicing dermatologists. Some of these diagnostic advances include: total body photography; dermoscopy; multispectral imaging; confocal scanning laser microscopy; teledermatology; high-frequency ultrasound; computed tomography; magnetic resonance imaging; immunohistochemical stains; comparative genomic hybridization; microphthalmia transcription factor; and melanoma sniffing dogs. Although not all of these tools are uniformly accepted nor mandatory, a passing familiarity with them will be helpful as additional data regarding their use evolves.
Cutaneous Oncology Program, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Department of Dermatology, University of South Florida College of Medicine, Tampa, FL, USA.
M H
MH
Lien
V K
VK
Sondak
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis; D055028:Comparative Genomic Hybridization; D046169:Dermoscopy / Q000379:methods; D003936:Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008545:Melanoma / Q000737:chemistry / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal / Q000379:methods; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor