Melanoma Screening with Cellular Phones
2007

Melanoma Screening with Cellular Phones

Sample size: 18 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Massone Cesare, Hofmann-Wellenhof Rainer, Ahlgrimm-Siess Verena, Gabler Gerald, Ebner Christoph, Peter Soyer H.

Primary Institution: Medical University of Graz

Hypothesis

Can mobile teledermatology effectively screen for melanoma using cellular phones?

Conclusion

Mobile teledermatology has the potential to be an effective tool for skin cancer screening.

Supporting Evidence

  • Teleconsultants achieved an 89% agreement with face-to-face diagnoses.
  • Mobile teledermatology can enhance self-monitoring for skin cancer.
  • Images were reviewed using a specific web application designed for teledermatology.

Takeaway

This study shows that you can use your phone to check for skin cancer, and it works pretty well!

Methodology

Eighteen patients had their skin lesions photographed with a cellular phone, and the images were reviewed by teleconsultants for diagnosis.

Limitations

Image quality was sometimes poor, which may have affected diagnoses.

Participant Demographics

12 males and 6 females, mean age 43.38 years, range 14-78 years.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1371/journal.pone.0000483

Want to read the original?

Access the complete publication on the publisher's website

View Original Publication