Accuracy in the Clinical Diagnosis and Pattern of Malignant Melanoma at a Dermatological Clinic |
| |
Authors: | Bernt Lindel f,Mari-Anne Hedblad |
| |
Affiliation: | Bernt Lindelöf,Mari-Anne Hedblad |
| |
Abstract: | The diagnostic pattern of malignant melanoma and clinical suspicion rate has been investigated at a dermatological university clinic. Of 174 histologically proven malignant melanomas, 60 (34%) were not clinically suspected as melanomas. The accuracy of clinical diagnosis increased with level of experience. Physicians with <1 year experience in dermatology were able to detect malignant melanoma as the first diagnosis in 31% of the cases in contrast to 63% for those with >10 years experience. Of 50 patients immediately referred from the dermatologic clinic to surgery departments, 12 did not have melanoma. |
| |
Keywords: | malignant melanoma cancer skin diagnosis |
|