Spectrophotometric technology for the early detection of cutaneous melanoma

This paper presents the design and experimental out comes of an ongoing research project aimed at the early detection of melanoma by means of a new diagnostic device. This device, based on the principles of spectrophotometry, is expected to improve upon the current diagnostic methods, which are known to carr y a margin of error quantified as 10-20%. This article presents the implemented technology, in the form of two scanning prototypes, the current experimental work, and the analysis procedures leading to the develop ment of a diagnostic model based upon the spectral representa tion of pigmented lesions.