Dermoscopy: The pattern analysis

The incidence of cutaneous melanoma is increasing worldwide. Since it has an aggressive behavior and difficult to treat in more advanced stages, early diagnosis is essential for cure. Dermoscopy is an auxiliary diagnostic method that allows an increase in the diagnostic accuracy for cutaneous melanoma using a hand-held microscope with a 10-fold magnification - a dermatoscope. The pattern analysis method is considered a reliable procedure to teach dermatology residents. It is based on global and specific patterns that enable classifying melanocytic and non-melanocytic lesions (which are important in the differential diagnosis of cutaneous melanoma). Among melanocytic lesions, dermoscopy is useful in recognize benign, suspect or malignant lesions.