Smartphone-Based Applications for Skin Monitoring and Melanoma Detection

Abstract

With the advancement of mobile technologies, smartphone applications (apps) have become widely available and gained increasing attention as a novel tool to deliver dermatologic care. This article presents a review of various apps for skin monitoring and melanoma detection and a discussion of current limitations in the field of dermatology. Concerns regarding quality, transparency, and reliability have emerged because there are currently no established quality standards or regulatory oversight of mobile medical apps. Only a few apps have been evaluated clinically. Further research is needed to evaluate the utility and efficacy of smartphone apps in skin cancer screening and early melanoma detection.

Keywords: Malignant melanoma; Mobile app; Mobile teledermoscopy; Regulatory oversight; Skin cancer screening; Smartphone; Teledermatology.