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Dermoscopy of Malenoma

What is malignant melanoma?Malignant melanoma is a serious skin cancer that starts in melanocytes. It is also known as cutaneous melanoma. This skin cancer is much dangerous due to its rapidly spread to other organs if it is not controlled at an early stage.Melanoma can appear in anywhere on the skin, but for people with…

What is malignant melanoma?
Malignant melanoma is a serious skin cancer that starts in melanocytes. It is also known as cutaneous melanoma. This skin cancer is much dangerous due to its rapidly spread to other organs if it is not controlled at an early stage.
Melanoma can appear in anywhere on the skin, but for people with lighter skin, melanoma is more likely to start on the chest and back in men and on the legs in women. The arms, face and neck are other common areas both in men and women. People with darker skin have a lower risk of developing melanoma in these more common areas. Melanoma even can happen in the eyes, while it is rarely to form inside body, like in throat or nose.

What is the cause of melanoma?
The cause of all melanomas is not exactly clear. But melanomas risk increase with exposure to ultraviolet light. Ultraviolet light, also known as UV, comes from sun or solariums. UV radiation can damage the DNA in skin cells, causing mutations that cause the cells to grow uncontrollably and form cancerous tumors.
Melanoma commonly happens especially in tanning, and sunburn during childhood. So it is helpful to reduce the risk of malignant melanoma by limiting the exposure to UV light.

Common high risk groups
The common high risk groups include: a previous melanoma comes back, a history of the sunburns, a family history of melanoma, fair skin or red hair, having many moles or atypical moles, a weakened immune system and so on.
The risk of melanoma appears to be increasing for people under 40, especially women. It is important to understand the high incidence of melanoma in people to help to prevent it. If people find a suspected person, then he should seek medical attention as soon as possible. Melanoma can be successfully treated when it is caught in early stage.

Symptoms of melanoma
There are some common signs and symptoms of melanoma including the following characteristics:
Asymmetry: one half of a mole or birthmark does not match the other half.
Size: Melanomas feature in larger size than normal moles, often exceeding 6mm in diameter.
Color: Melanomas may display different or multiple colors or shades, like brown,black,pink,red,blue, white even mixed color.
Border: melanoma may has irregular, scalloped, notched, or blurred borders.
Pain: Some melanomas may be painful or tender to the touch. Sometimes the spot will bleed and ooze fluid.

dermoscopy of melanoma
dermoscopy of melanoma
dermoscopy of melanoma

The appearance of new and atypical spots on the skin is the most important warning sign of melanoma. And other important warning sign is the existing spots have changed in color, size and shape. However, there may be one or two unusual characteristics of melanoma. Atypical changes on skin should be pay more attention to.

Survival rates for malignant melanoma
If diagnosed and treated early, malignant melanoma has a high cure rate, and the five-year survival rate for localized melanoma is about 98%. It includes the stage 0, stage I and stage II of malignant melanoma.

If it is not founded in the early stage, and it reaches to stage III of regional melanoma , the survival rate of malignant melanoma is about 63%.

However, if malignant melanoma is not treated until it has reached a more advanced stage and has spread to other parts of the body, such as the liver, lungs or brain is more serious and challenging to treat and has a lower survival rates.The five-year survival rate for stage IV melanoma is about 22%.

No matter how, use a dermoscopy to detect the atypical spots is necessary in case of any chance for evolution of malignant melanoma. Under the dermoscopy, dermatologists can detect and diagnose malignant melanoma much easily and accurately.

Identify the characteristics of malignant melanoma by using dermoscopy
Under the dermoscopy, it is clearly to display the features of malignant melanoma. Such as, by using dermoscopy, malignant melanoma usually clearly shows Irregular edges or borders and multiple colors. And malignant melanoma commonly appears in abnormal pigment distribution and structure, or atypical vascular distribution. Special signs such as granular areas and small blue and white papules may occur. Dermoscopy can precisely distinguish the points of malignant melanoma from benign lesions such as nevus.

Dermatoscopy DE-4100

Dermoscopy in the diagnosis of malignant melanoma
Dermoscopy is a dependable and aiding medical technique by skin doctors to detect the melanoma. Dermoscopy combines a powerful lighting system and high quality magnify lens to enhance the view of deeper skin and some hard-to-reach locations by naked eyes. The whole process of skin examination under dermoscopy without any side effective or adverse reactions. Dermoscopy can assist professional doctors to make early diagnosis of malignant melanoma without unnecessary biopsies and surgeries. Dermoscopy helps skin doctors to determine the clinical stage of the mass. What’s more, during the whole process of detection or treatment, as a monitor, dermoscopy can observe the progression of lesions. Dermoscopy greatly helps skin doctors to evaluate the effectiveness of surgery or other treatment of malignant melanoma.

Dermoscopy in public self-examination
Dermoscopy is usually designed to a small electric device which is convenient to handheld or easy to take photo by compatible with phones and tablets. Dermoscopy gains a very popularity both in hospital and in home. Dermoscopy can easily identify the malignant melanoma in professional hands. There are some main points when people use dermoscopy in public self-examination.

Dermatoscope DE-3100

Firstly, correct operation and usage is necessary.
Secondly, during the use of dermoscopy, it needs to keep precautions and observations.
Thirdly, as soon as suspicious lesions are detected by dermoscopy, then it needs to seek medical treatment promptly.
Fourthly, people should cooperate with professional doctors for diagnosis and treatment after self-examination by dermoscopy if any atypical lesions founded.

Skin health is very significant to every one. Detection of malignant melanoma is really important, especially there being negligence in its early stage. With the help of dermoscopy, it increases much more confidence for dermatologists to diagnose and treat malignant melanoma and other skin diseases. In addition, more and more people use dermoscopy to examine skin conditions. Especially, high risk groups of malignant melanoma should even more often use dermoscopy for regular self-examination.

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How can dermoscopy images be captured?

Dermoscopy images can be captured and stored in different ways, such as: • Using a smartphone or tablet with dermoscopic adapter, which consisted in the package.• Using a digital camera

Dermoscopy images can be captured and stored in different ways, such as:

• Using a smartphone or tablet with dermoscopic adapter, which consisted in the package.
• Using a digital camera with dermoscopic adapter, there’s 49mm screw size camera adapter available to order now.

Compatible phone/tablet models:
All iPhone models, 95% Android phones, 90% tablet. For phone/tablet size in 5.25-14mm

Compatible camera models:
All camera with built 49mm filter screw, such as Canon EOS 70D, 80D, 90D; Canon EOS R7, R10, R50, R100; Canon M100, M200, M50, Mark II; Canon G7X Mark III, Sony ZV-1

How can I connect my phone to my dermatoscope?

There’s universal phone adapter for all our dermoscopes. Please check the installation procedure bellow or watch operation guide. Smartphone Connector (1) Place phone adapter screw in the center of smartphone’s

There’s universal phone adapter for all our dermoscopes. Please check the installation procedure bellow or watch operation guide.

Smartphone Connector

(1) Place phone adapter screw in the center of smartphone’s main camera.
(2) Screw magnet attachment on phone adapter.
(3) Put dermoscope’s back ring and magnet attachment together

Take The Best Images

You need to adjust the focus ring after the dermoscpe connected on smartphone to get the best images.

How can I clean my dermoscopy after usage?

Cleaning your dermoscopy after usage is important to prevent cross-contamination and infection. The cleaning method may vary depending on the type and model of your dermoscopy, so you should always

Cleaning your dermoscopy after usage is important to prevent cross-contamination and infection. The cleaning method may vary depending on the type and model of your dermoscopy, so you should always follow the manufacturer’s instructions. However, some general steps are:

• Turn off and disconnect your dermoscopy from any power source or device.

• Wipe off any visible dirt or debris from the dermoscopy with a soft cloth or tissue.

• Disinfect the dermoscopy with an alcohol-based wipe or spray, or a disinfectant solution recommended by the manufacturer. Make sure to cover all surfaces, especially the lens and contact plate.

• Let the dermoscopy air dry completely before storing it in a clean and dry place.

• Do not use abrasive or corrosive cleaners, solvents, or detergents that may damage the dermoscopy.

• Do not immerse the dermoscopy in water or any liquid, unless it is waterproof and designed for immersion.

You should clean your dermoscopy after each use, or at least once a day if you use it frequently. You should also check your dermoscopy regularly for any signs of damage or malfunction, and contact the manufacturer or service provider if needed.

Polarized VS Non-polarized Dermoscopy

A dermoscopy is a device that allows the examination of skin lesions with magnificationand illumination. By revealing subsurface structures and patterns that are not visible tothe naked eye. It can

A dermoscopy is a device that allows the examination of skin lesions with magnificationand illumination. By revealing subsurface structures and patterns that are not visible tothe naked eye. It can improve the diagnose accuracy of skin lesions, such as melanoma,basal cell carcinoma, seborrheic keratosis, etc.

There are two main types of dermoscopy: Non polarized and polarized dermoscopy.We’ve fitted most of our dermoscopys with polarized and non-polarized light. They canbe used in multiple skin structures.

Non-polarized contact Mode

In non-polarized mode, the instrument can provide information about the superficialskin structures, such as milia-like cysts, comedo-like openings, and pigment in theepidemis.

The dermoscopy requires applying a liquid such as mineral oil or alcohol to the skin andplacing the lens in contact with the skin. This reduces surface reflection and enhancesthe view of subsurface structures.

Image with non-polarized light (DE-3100)

Polarized contact Mode

In polarized mode, the instrument allows for visualization for deeper skin structures,such as blood vessels, collagen, and pigment in the dermis.

The dermoscopy does not need to be in contact with the skin or use any liquid. Theirpolarized light can help to eliminate surface reflection and allow visualization ofvascular structures.

Image with polarized light (DE-3100)

Polarized non-contact Mode

The dermoscopy can also use polarized light to examine the skin without direct contact.

In polarized non-contact mode, the instrument allows for examination infected areasand lesions that are painful for the patient, or the difficult to contact pigmented lesions,such as nails and narrow areas.

The contact plate should be removed in this mode, and it does not require applying aliquid to the skin. As it doesn’t require pressure or fluid application on the skin, it canalso avoid cross-contamination and infection risk.

Image in polarized non-contact mode (DE-3100)

How effectiveness is dermoscopy

Compared with visual inspection, the dermoscopy can be used to capture and store skin lesion photos, which play an important role in early skin cancer examination. The dermoscopy allows the

Compared with visual inspection, the dermoscopy can be used to capture and store skin lesion photos, which play an important role in early skin cancer examination.

The dermoscopy allows the examination of skin lesions with magnification and illumination. This can be greatly avoiding the factors that cause interference to visual detection. Such as lighting, skin color, hair and cosmetics.

Several studies have demonstrated that dermoscopy is useful in the identification of melanoma, when used by a trained professional.

It may improve the accuracy of clinical diagnosis by up to 35%
It may reduce the number of harmless lesions that are removed
In primary care, it may increase the referral of more worrisome lesions and reduce the referral of more trivial ones

A 2018 Cochrane meta-analysis published the accuracy of dermoscopy in the detection.

Table 1. Accuracy of dermoscopy in the detection of melanoma in adults
Detection Method Sensitivity, % Specificity, % Positive Likelihood Ratio NegativeLikelihood Ratio
Visual inspection alone (in person) 76 75 3.04 0.32
Dermoscopy with visual inspection (in person) 92 95 18 0.08
Image-based visual inspection alone (not in person) 47 42 0.81 1.3
Dermoscopy with image-based visual inspection (not in person) 81 82 4.5 0.23
ROC—receiver operating characteristic. *Estimated sensitivity calculated on the summary ROC curve at a fixed specificity of 80%.

As we can see, the dermoscope can improve the accuracy of diagnosis of skin lesions, especially melanoma.

Table 1. Accuracy of dermoscopy in the detection of melanoma in adults
Detection Method Sensitivity, % Specificity, % Positive Likelihood Ratio NegativeLikelihood Ratio
Visual inspection alone (in person) 79 77 3.4 0.27
Dermoscopy with visual inspection (in person) 93 99 93 0.07
Image-based visual inspection alone (not in person) 85 87 6.5 0.17
Dermoscopy with image-based visual inspection (not in person) 93 96 23 0.07
ROC—receiver operating characteristic. *Estimated sensitivity calculated on the summary ROC curve at a fixed specificity of 80%.

Characteristics of the dermatoscopic structure of the skin lesions include:

• Symmetry or asymmetry
• Homogeny/uniformity (sameness) or heterogeny (structural differences across the lesion)
• Distribution of pigment: brown lines, dots, clods and structureless areas
• Skin surface keratin: small white cysts, crypts, fissures
• Vascular morphology and pattern: regular or irregular
• Border of the lesion: fading, sharply cut off or radial streaks
• Presence of ulceration

There are specific dermoscopic patterns that aid in the diagnosis of the following pigmented skin lesions:

• Melanoma
• Moles (benign melanocytic naevus)
• Freckles (lentigos)
• Atypical naevi
• Blue naevi
• Seborrhoeic keratosis
• Pigmented basal cell carcinoma
• Haemangioma

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