Diagnostic accuracy of reflectance confocal microscopy for pigmented skin lesions presenting dermoscopic features of cutaneous melanoma.
Postepy Dermatol Alergol 2019;
37:531-534. [PMID:
32994775 PMCID:
PMC7507154 DOI:
10.5114/ada.2019.82742]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2018] [Accepted: 01/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction
The incidence and mortality of melanoma are rising rapidly. Despite ongoing research and the introduction of new therapeutic methods, advanced melanoma is still considered incurable. Early detection and surgical excision of the tumor increases patients’ survival. Since the diagnostic protocol includes surgical excision of all suspicious lesions, it is burdened with a high rate of unnecessary excisions that cause unwanted scarring. This is why the development of accurate diagnostic techniques is crucial. The most common diagnostic tool in early diagnosis of cutaneous melanoma is dermoscopy, though there are emerging new techniques, such as reflectance confocal microscopy and optical coherence tomography.
Aim
To evaluate diagnostic accuracy of reflectance confocal microscopy as a secondary examination in melanocytic lesions previously diagnosed as melanomas by means of dermoscopy.
Material and methods
Forty-six melanocytic lesions presenting dermoscopic features of cutaneous malignant melanoma were examined by means of reflectance confocal microscopy.
Results
The RCM evaluation showed sensitivity at the level of 100% and specificity at 62%.
Conclusions
It can be estimated that double evaluation of melanocytic lesions by dermoscopy and reflectance confocal microscopy may allow up to 62% of unnecessary excisions to be avoided.
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