Early skin cancer detection with digital dermoscopy

May 17 2012

FotoFinder presents advanced devices for early skin cancer detection at the World Congress of Dermoscopy in Brisbane from May 17 to 19. The new mobile and stationary devices offer better diagnostic accuracy for doctors and more safety for patients. Latest development is the connection of a mobile dermatoscope for iPhone with an online webspace where doctors can request a second opinion on suspicious moles.

Smartphone dermoscopy for mobile skin cancer screening

Digital dermoscopy is the best technology to detect melanoma at an early stage. handyscope, the digital handheld dermatoscope for mobile skin cancer examinations is already used in Australia and New Zealand. It enables doctors to capture and save microscopic pictures of moles using their iPhone, the handyscope device and the corresponding app. handyscope gives a magnified, polarized view on the skin, combining skin surface microscopy with mobility and communication technology. Unlike conventional handheld dermatoscopes, doctors can keep a comfortable distance during the skin check and evaluate moles on-screen.

Now, the new online-platform “Hub” allows doctors to upload handyscope pictures to their private webspace in the cloud-like web-database via a secured connection to store them and request a rating from international skin cancer experts. Photos of suspicious moles can be immediately sent to the expert team for second opinion.

This opens up new possibilities for teledermatology: also patients without access to specialists can get best diagnostic quality in case of skin cancer suspicion. They can benefit from their doctor’s network and count on an accurate and fast diagnosis. Thanks to the early skin cancer detection, the chance of healing can be improved substantially.

“We developed the handyscope for doctors who need the possibility to capture and save dermoscopic photos of moles independently of a computer. The high resolution mole pictures allow a more accurate diagnosis and the second opinion service benefits both, the doctor and the patient,” explains Andreas Mayer, CEO of FotoFinder Systems.

Mole Mapping to improve skin cancer detection

Doctors who work in a practice or mole clinic use stationary mole mapping systems to monitor moles with video documentation. These special systems allow the digital documentation of moles over time. Overview and microscopic images of each lesion are saved in a database along with the localization and additional information.

First, a digital mole catalog of the patient’s skin is made with the help of a Full HD-video camera. The overview pictures serve as mole maps. Then the doctor decides which moles have to be observed microscopically and checked regularly with a digital dermatoscope – a special video camera for epiluminescence microscopy. An additional analysis of suspicious lesions gives an instant second opinion with malignancy score. Regular follow-up exams show change or growth of every single mole. Even slight differences are visible with this technology. The continuous check gives patients more safety and avoids unnecessary excisions of harmless moles.

Total Body Mapping for monitoring high-risk patients

FotoFinder developed a solution for Total Body Mapping, a method for monitoring risk patients by taking standardized pictures of the whole skin surface from head to toe. The result is saved into a database. Pictures are taken again at regular examinations as the most reliable way to detect skin cancer is a periodic side-by-side comparison of baseline and follow-up photos. Therefore the software automatically analyzes the body maps and marks new or changed moles.

This method, combined with digital dermoscopy, gives maximum security to detect skin cancer early. "The skin is a large organ whose examination is quite time consuming. Therefore the advantage of this precise and fast Body Mapping method is obvious for both doctors and patients,” explains Andreas Mayer, chief executive officer of FotoFinder Systems.

Visitors are welcome to visit booth T13 at the World Congress of Dermoscopy in Brisbane to test mobile and stationary solutions for skin cancer detection.