Peer Reviewed
Feature Article Dermatology
Using dermoscopy to diagnose pigmented skin lesions
Recent articles on:
Skin cancer
Skin cancer
Abstract
This article details a two-step method of diagnosing pigmented skin lesions using dermoscopy (surface microscopy).
Key Points
- All primary care physicians who practise in countries where melanoma causes significant mortality should learn dermoscopy.
- Step 1 differentiates melanocytic lesions from nonmelanocytic lesions, and step 2 differentiates benign melanocytic lesions from melanoma.
- To differentiate benign melanocytic lesions from melanoma (step 2), look for negative and positive features; a melanoma will have neither of the two negative features and one or more of the positive features.
- The diagnostic sensitivity of dermoscopy is not 100%. The clinical history is also important in leading to a final diagnosis.
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