Abstract
Examining the skin using dermoscopy provides valuable information not seen with the naked eye. Vascular features relevant in the assessment of primary nonlymphoid cutaneous tumours are discussed.
Key Points
- Dermoscopy provides the clinician with immediate convenient magnification when examining the skin.
- Distinctive vascular features identified during dermoscopy facilitate the diagnosis of a range of both benign and malignant tumours.
- Benign tumours often have monomorphic vessels distributed in regular patterns over the tumour footprint.
- Malignant tumours characteristically display polymorphic vessels in irregular arrangements within a tumour.
- Acquiring skill in dermoscopy can reduce the number of excisions of benign tumours and improve the identification of malignant tumours.