Purpose of Technology

Single-lesion and total body photography are used to detect changes in a skin lesion that may indicate development of melanoma or detect new lesions that have characteristics of melanoma. Total body photography is generally used for high-risk patients who have multiple melanocytic nevi, while single-lesion photography might be used for patients in the more general population who have a single lesion that warrants more intensive monitoring rather than biopsy. The goal of using photography as an adjunct to visual inspection for surveillance for malignant melanoma is to reduce the number of unnecessary biopsies and facilitate the early detection of malignant lesions.

Questions addressed in this report include:

• Does photographic surveillance for melanoma improve early detection of malignant lesions or reduce the frequency of excision of benign lesions?
• Is there sufficient evidence to define patient selection criteria for photographic surveillance?

These questions provide a framework for review and synthesis of the best available evidence, which is presented in this report, along with the Hayes Ratings for the technology. This report also provides background information about the condition being treated, a description of the technology, and the context for development of the technology. Other key elements addressed in the report include the regulatory status; applicable Medicare and commercial payer coverage policies; relevant ICD-9 and ICD-10 diagnosis codes; cost and cost effectiveness; credentialing; hospital length of stay; need for large case management; and ongoing and future clinical trials of the technology.

Posted in Directory Reports
This entry was posted on Wednesday, March 30th, 2011 at 12:00 pm.