Clinical pathway for melanoma detection using comprehensive cutaneous analysis with Melanoscan

The usefulness of a comprehensive cutaneous photography system (Melanoscan) was tested using the following parameters: 1) decision to screen pathway, 2) clinical pathway, 3) clinical outcome, and 4) patient acceptance. The results indicate that 55 percent of those with criteria for scanning were reimbursed by insurance (AMA CTP category 1 code status 96904 for total body photography). In this model of whole body scanning, the ratio of time demand on physicians, patients, and technicians is 1:8:12. In 53 patients, 394 lesions of concern were identified. Of these lesions, 48 (12.31%) were scars, 306 (78.46%) were changed, and 36 (9.23%) were new. The decision to biopsy was made for 18 of the 394 lesions analyzed in the follow-up studies. Sensitivity of the process in determining malignant lesions is 75.00 percent and specificity is 73.70 percent. Preliminary results suggest that change detection analysis reduces the number of biopsies and improves diagnostic accuracy. Assessment of survey results revealed a high degree of patient satisfaction with ease of following Melanoscan directions (81.25%), as well as overall satisfaction with the process (73.44%). These results suggest that whole body screening using the Melanoscan provides a device in which accuracy of lesion tracking, patient confidence in lesion documentation, and clinician time are optimized.