Dermat – the dermoscopy management system

In order to recognize early symptoms of melanoma, the lethal cancer of the skin, our group is developing pattern recognition and machine learning tools that may help medical doctors in the melanoma diagnosis. Since in the machine learning approach data from diversified sources are required, in this article we present the Java-based Dermat 1.0 application, a medical software system for management of dermoscopy data and the patients follow-up documentation. The chief objective for this system is to integrate all the management activities (image acquisition, anamneses, medical documentation and annotations) into a selfcontent optimal data base system. Such an integrated approach to digital dermoscopy and management of the patient data between the visits is crucial in comparing the results, storing/retrieving/transmitting dermoscopic images and making a proper and early diagnosis. The Dermat application is distributed among dermatological clinics and private practitioners in accordance to the ‘tool-for-the-data’ model.