Imaging techniques for the in vivo diagnosis of melanoma.

The ability to detect early melanoma remains of paramount importance in our efforts to curtail deaths related to this malignancy. Fortunately, our clinical skills at recognizing the varied clinical presentation of early melanomas are continuously improving. Our enhanced clinical acumen together with improved awareness of the danger signs of melanoma has resulted in a greater proportion of thin melanomas being diagnosed today as compared to the past. The implementation and utilization of in vivo imaging technologies in clinical practice promises to further enhance our ability to detect melanoma while this cancer is still thin and easily curable. This article describes the utility and application of the in vivo imaging technologies that are currently in clinical use today including dermoscopy, total body photography, individual lesion photography, and reflectance confocal microscopy.