Using dermatoscopy and digital dermatoscopy in the diagnosis of melanoma

An introduction of dermatoscopy to the clinical practice brought an improvement of the melanoma clinical diagnosis, especially in the

early stage of development. Dermatoscope is a portable illuminated magnifying glass. With power of 10–20 times magnification and

application of immersion, one can identify individual structural features in pigmented lesions examined. Validation and standardization

of characteristic dermatoscopic features, done by Stolz, Menziese, Dal Pozza et al., helped to better differentiate melanomas and

benign melanocytic lesions. A thorough training and education in this diagnostic approach is essential for later set-up of the correct

dermatoscopic diagnosis. Nevertheless, the always remaining weakness of dermatoscopy is a high level of subjectivity of the evaluation.

The digital dermatoscopy, with mathematical analysis of dermatoscopic parameters of pigmented lesions, was a successful attempt to

alleviate the level of subjectivity and improve standards in evaluation of dermatoscopic findings. The digital dermatoscopy is significantly

more precise in diagnosis of an early melanoma, as well as it allows a continuous monitoring of the pigmented lesions behavior

and development.

Keywords: melanoma, early diagnosis, dermatoscopy, digital dermatoscopy