Practical application of new technologies for melanoma diagnosis

June 18, 2015

Part I: Noninvasive approaches

Confirming a diagnosis of cutaneous melanoma requires obtaining a skin biopsy specimen. However, obtaining numerous biopsy specimens—which often happens in patients with increased melanoma risk—is associated with significant cost and morbidity. While some melanomas are easily recognized by the naked eye, many can be difficult to distinguish from nevi, and therefore there is a need and opportunity to develop new technologies that can facilitate clinical examination and melanoma diagnosis. In part I of this 2-part continuing medical education article, we will review the practical applications of emerging technologies for noninvasive melanoma diagnosis, including mobile (smartphone) applications, multispectral imaging (ie, MoleMate and MelaFind), and electrical impedance spectroscopy (Nevisense).

Part II. Molecular approaches

The criterion standard for diagnosing cutaneous melanoma continues to be histologic examination. However, classifying some melanocytic lesions by conventional microscopy can be problematic if they exhibit some architectural or morphologic characteristics of both nevus and melanoma. Moreover, histologic appearance does not always predict biologic behavior. There is therefore a need and opportunity to develop new technologies that can facilitate the histologic diagnosis of melanoma and potentially help distinguish lesions with a lesser or greater risk of metastasis. In part II of this 2-part continuing medical education article, we will review the molecular technologies currently available for facilitating melanoma diagnosis, including comparative genomic hybridization, fluorescence in situ hybridization, and epidermal genetic retrieval. Our goal is to provide the clinician with an up to date understanding of these molecular approaches so that they can be applied to their management of challenging melanocytic lesions.

Source:
March, J, et al. Practical application of new technologies for melanoma diagnosis. JAAD 2015;72(6)
http://www.jaad.org/article/S0190-9622(15)01381-X/...