Relationship between histological and computer-based assessment of melanoma diameter and thickness in head versus trunk melanomas.

Conclusion Melanoma diameter should be assessed digitally to avoid tissue shrinkage after biopsy and imprecise in vivo measurements. Although nearly 10% of melanomas might escape an early diagnosis based only on the D parameter of the ABCD rule (diameter), melanoma diameter maybe related to its thickness. Evaluation with a computer vision system should be recommended for small pigmented lesions (<6mm) in order to reduce the percentage of misdiagnosed smaller melanomas and to better evaluate the parameter E of the ABCDE rule (evolving lesion).
Source: Head and Neck Oncology - Category: Cancer & Oncology Source Type: research