PASS: A Novel Dermoscopic Algorithm for Diagnosing Cutaneous Melanomas
Source: Oncology Nurse Advisor, February 2023
The PASS (polychromy, asymmetry, specific structures) algorithm for dermoscopy had good diagnostic accuracy and was easier to perform than other dermoscopic algorithms, according to the results of a multicenter retrospective analysis published in the International Journal of Dermatology.
Dermoscopy has been shown to be a useful and non-invasive diagnostic test for cutaneous melanoma, but its accuracy depends on observer experience.
Investigators from centers in Spain sought to develop a novel algorithm that was easy to use while maintaining diagnostic accuracy. To that end, 1120 dermoscopic images collected at 3 centers were pooled and used to develop the PASS algorithm, which awarded 1 point each for the presence of polychromy (3 or more colors), asymmetry of color or structure in 1 or 2 axes, and 1 melanoma-specific dermoscopic structure; and 2 points for 2 or more melanoma-specific structures.