International Skin Imaging Collaboration: Advancing Melanoma Detection through Digital Skin Imaging and Standardization

Abstract

The International Skin Imaging Collaboration: Melanoma Project is a collaborative initiative between academia and industry aimed at harnessing the potential of digital skin imaging to reduce melanoma-related mortality. Early detection and treatment significantly improve the prognosis for melanoma, making it a highly curable disease when identified in its initial stages. Digital skin lesion images can play a vital role in educating both medical professionals and the public in recognizing melanoma while also directly assisting in melanoma diagnosis through practices like teledermatology, clinical decision support, and automated diagnosis. However, the absence of standardized practices in dermatologic imaging has been a hindrance to the quality and utility of skin lesion imaging. To address these concerns, the ISIC project is actively working to develop and propose standards encompassing the technologies, methodologies, and terminology used in skin imaging. This endeavor pays particular attention to matters of privacy and interoperability, ensuring that images can be securely and seamlessly shared across diverse technological and clinical platforms. Furthermore, ISIC is establishing an open-source public archive of skin images, which serves as an invaluable resource for education and the development and validation of automated diagnostic systems.