Real-world outcomes of melanoma surveillance using the MoleMap NZ telemedicine platform

MoleMap NZ is a novel New Zealand–based store-and-forward telemedicine service to detect melanoma. It uses expert review of total body photography and close-up and dermoscopic images of skin lesions that are suspicious for malignancy. The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of MoleMap NZ as a melanoma early detection program. We conducted a review of 2108 melanocytic lesions recommended for biopsy/excision by MoleMap NZ dermoscopists between January 2015 and December 2016. Pathologic diagnoses were available for 1571 lesions. Of these, 1303 (83%) lesions were benign and 260 (17%) lesions were diagnosed as melanoma, for a melanoma-specific benign:malignant ratio of 5.0:1. The number needed to biopsy to obtain 1 melanoma was 6. Among melanomas with available tumor thickness data (n = 137), 92% were