A trip to the dermatologist’s office on a regular basis is always useful. Should we notice one of our moles changing its appearance, for example, we’d better have it checked? Don’t be afraid. Dermatologists have now a reliable, non-invasive method at their disposal: DERMOSCOPY. Dermoscopy has been defined as the millennium method since it is fast, easy to apply, and convenient.  Dermoscopy represents the standard for the diagnosis of melanoma and skin tumors in the general diagnosis of lesions and skin cancers.  Dermatoscopy can rightly be considered the millennium method. The fact that it is fast, reliable, cheap, easy to carry and apply, explains its success worldwide. Today it represents the standard method for the diagnosis of skin tumors and lesions in general dermatology. 

Prof. Iris Zalaudek Director of the Dermatological Clinic Medical Surgical and Health Sciences Department University of Trieste Ospedale Maggiore di Trieste, Italy

“ its potential lifesaver – it is the study of detail - it is a bridge between dermatology and pathology" 

Postgraduate students, members of the editorial committee of Dermatology Practical & Conceptual, and members of the executive committee of the International Dermoscopy Society:

“Short-term SDI also improves diagnostic sensitivity. That’s because it enables early identification of clinically featureless melanomas detected solely based upon change over a 3-month follow-up period. The operative principle here is that 93%-96% of melanomas will show change on dermoscopy within 3 months, while 99% of unchanged melanocytic lesions are benign. Since 16% of benign nevi will change within three months, 10%-30% of changed lesions are melanomas.

Michael A. Marchetti, MD