INTRODUCTON
Early detection of melanoma is critical to optimizing patient outcomes.1 Dermoscopy aids in the evaluation of equivocal pigmented lesions that are suspicious for melanoma.2,3 However, the most well-known melanoma-aligned dermoscopic features have primarily been described within invasive melanomas. These criteria may not be found in melanoma in situ,4-6 making it difficult to differentiate them from atypical nevi (ATN).7,8 In addition, the performance of dermoscopy is influenced by the training and experience of the user.2 Therefore, the use of objective, non-invasive genomic assessment may improve the biopsy decision-making process.
Dermoscopy, also known as dermatoscopy or epiluminescence microscopy, allows for the magnified, illuminated inspection of skin lesions unobstructed by surface reflections.3 It is increasingly used to help rule out melanoma and support biopsy decisions for clinically uncertain or ambiguous pigmented skin lesions. Dermoscopy is widely used by dermatologists but only minimally by primary care providers and other clinicians performing biopsies.9 Multiple meta-analyses found that dermoscopy increases sensitivity over visual assessment alone, but its accuracy is highly experience-dependent.2,10,11 Ferris and colleagues reported a sensitivity of 71% and specificity of 59% for experienced dermatologists using dermoscopy to evaluate pigmented lesions for melanoma12 but noted that accuracy calculations for dermoscopy are complicated by its inherent subjectivity and other variables such as the experience of the user.
Dermoscopy, also known as dermatoscopy or epiluminescence microscopy, allows for the magnified, illuminated inspection of skin lesions unobstructed by surface reflections.3 It is increasingly used to help rule out melanoma and support biopsy decisions for clinically uncertain or ambiguous pigmented skin lesions. Dermoscopy is widely used by dermatologists but only minimally by primary care providers and other clinicians performing biopsies.9 Multiple meta-analyses found that dermoscopy increases sensitivity over visual assessment alone, but its accuracy is highly experience-dependent.2,10,11 Ferris and colleagues reported a sensitivity of 71% and specificity of 59% for experienced dermatologists using dermoscopy to evaluate pigmented lesions for melanoma12 but noted that accuracy calculations for dermoscopy are complicated by its inherent subjectivity and other variables such as the experience of the user.
Numerous dermoscopic findings have been proposed as sensitive and specific features of melanoma, and various combinations of them have been used to generate checklists
