EARLY DIAGNOSIS OF CUTANEOUS MELANOMA: IMPLICATION AND APPLICATION OF DERMOSCOPY IN CLINICAL PRACTICE
Cutaneous melanoma (CM) — an extremely malignant tumor that needs to be diagnosed at the earliest stages. Dermoscopy is a highly effective method for early diagnosis of CM. This non-invasive method of skin epiluminescene microscopy using an optical device — dermoscope, provides images of the surface and internal structures of the skin. Knowledge of the dermoscopycal signs and algorithms helps to identify the CM among the other pigmented skin pathology. Application of dermoscope reduces the risk of unnecessary surgical procedures in the diagnosis of pigmented lesions of the skin. Considering the importance of early diagnosis of CM we developed a unique screening program, which was attended by a total of five oncologists. After a preliminary analysis of the on-line profiles with photos of pigmented lesions of the skin, experts internally examined only those patients, whose photographs of skin lesions were suspicious for CM. Dermoscopy was actively used during medical examination. As a result, the screening program has identified the patients with early stages of CM (IA—IIA). Thus dermoscopy is useful and necessary tool for early detection of MK, including the screening programs.