The CASH (color, architecture, symmetry, and homogeneity) algorithm for dermoscopy Journal Article


Authors: Henning, J. S.; Dusza, S. W.; Wang, S. Q.; Marghoob, A. A.; Rabinovitz, H. S.; Polsky, D.; Kopf, A. W.
Article Title: The CASH (color, architecture, symmetry, and homogeneity) algorithm for dermoscopy
Abstract: Background: The color, architecture, symmetry, and homogeneity (CASH) algorithm for dermoscopy includes a feature not used in prior algorithms, namely, architecture. Architectural order/disorder is derived from current concepts regarding the biology of benign versus malignant melanocytic neoplasms. Objective: We sought to evaluate the accuracy of the CASH algorithm. Methods: A total CASH score (TCS) was calculated for dermoscopic images of 325 melanocytic neoplasms. Sensitivity, specificity, diagnostic accuracy, and receiver operating characteristic curve analyses were performed by comparing the TCS with the histopathologic diagnoses for all lesions. Results: The mean TCS was 12.28 for melanoma, 7.62 for dysplastic nevi, and 5.24 for nondysplastic nevi. These differences were statistically significant (P < .001). A TCS of 8 or more yielded a sensitivity of 98% and specificity of 68% for the diagnosis of melanoma. Limitations: This is a single-evaluator pilot study. Additional studies are needed to verify the CASH algorithm. Conclusions: The CASH algorithm can distinguish melanoma from melanocytic nevi with sensitivity and specificity comparable with other algorithms. Further study is warranted to determine its intraobserver and interobserver correlations. © 2007 American Academy of Dermatology, Inc.
Keywords: major clinical study; histopathology; diagnostic accuracy; sensitivity and specificity; reproducibility of results; melanoma; dermoscopy; nevus; skin neoplasms; diagnosis, differential; melanocytes; algorithms; epiluminescence microscopy; pigmentation; severity of illness index; algorithm; nevus, pigmented; pilot projects; predictive value of tests; area under curve; cross-sectional studies; dysplastic nevus; roc curve; receiver operating characteristic; calculation; color
Journal Title: Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology
Volume: 56
Issue: 1
ISSN: 0190-9622
Publisher: Mosby Elsevier  
Date Published: 2007-01-01
Start Page: 45
End Page: 52
Language: English
DOI: 10.1016/j.jaad.2006.09.003
PUBMED: 17190620
PROVIDER: scopus
DOI/URL:
Notes: --- - "Cited By (since 1996): 28" - "Export Date: 17 November 2011" - "CODEN: JAADD" - "Source: Scopus"
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MSK Authors
  1. Steven Q Wang
    78 Wang
  2. David Polsky
    12 Polsky
  3. Stephen Dusza
    288 Dusza
  4. Ashfaq A Marghoob
    534 Marghoob