The relevance of dermatoscopy for early diagnosis of melanomas: a literature review

Abstract

Introduction: The importance of prior cancer diagnosis is known as it constitutes a public health problem, justified by recent epidemiological data suggesting a high mortality rate of skin cancer such as melanoma. Dermoscopy is a technique developed for the screening of melanoma, moreover it is considered a non-invasive imaging method, in vivo, mainly  applied for establishing early diagnosis of melanoma and other melanocytic and non-melanocytic lesions. Objective: The study aims to describe the relevance of dermoscopy in the face of early diagnoses of cancer, especially melanoma, through a literature review. Methodology: A literature review of articles from the EBSCO and PubMed databases was executed. In total, 34 articles were included for the analysis and conclusion of this study. Discussion: According to some studies, dermoscopy has a superior diagnostic sensitivity compared to clinical methods, as well as superior efficacy and reliability. However, it is a professional's experience  dependent method. Conclusion: Dermoscopy represents an inexpensive tool, relevant for the early diagnosis of melanomas, in addition to the supervision of the pattern of development and differentiation of nevi and other skin lesions during clinical practice. This method requires training of its professionals, being very useful when performed by experienced professionals. The great advantage of the technique is that it offers good cost-benefit and avoids unnecessary invasive procedures and procedures.

Keywords: melanoma, dermoscopy, diagnostic method