Dermatology Advances in Melanoma Detection and Surveillance

Описание: Dr. Connie Wayne from the Department of Dermatology highlights recent advances in melanoma detection, screening, and surveillance. Key points include:

Melanoma Background: Differentiating between melanoma in situ, invasive melanoma, and advanced disease; noting rising incidence despite stable mortality due to improved therapies like immunotherapy and targeted treatments.

Risk Assessment: Identifying high-risk populations, including those with prior skin cancer, fair skin, numerous or atypical moles, UV exposure, immunosuppression, and genetic syndromes. Tools such as the Melanoma Institute of Australia’s risk calculator help guide screening.

Total Body Photography & Dermoscopy: Combining imaging technologies to track moles over time, detect changes early, and reduce unnecessary biopsies, though randomized studies show careful implementation is needed to avoid over-biopsying benign lesions.

Non-Invasive Imaging:

Reflectance Confocal Microscopy (RCM): Provides a “virtual biopsy” at the upper dermis but is limited by time, cost, and lesion size.

Multispectral Imaging: Uses multiple wavelengths to examine skin lesions; devices like Dermacensor offer high sensitivity for detecting melanoma and other skin cancers, increasing accessibility for primary care providers.

Artificial Intelligence (AI): Emerging as a decision-support tool, helping clinicians interpret imaging and dermoscopy data, improving diagnostic accuracy, especially for non-specialists.

Teledermatology: Expanding access to care in underserved and rural areas through store-and-forward consultations, e-visits, and dermoscopy-enabled remote evaluations. Significant reductions in in-person visits are possible while maintaining diagnostic accuracy.

Takeaways:
Melanoma incidence is rising, risk assessment is critical, and new technologies—including imaging, AI, and teledermatology—are improving early detection, monitoring, and access to care, while helping clinicians make more accurate, timely decisions.