In Reply.—
Dr Coverman raises some important issues in his letter. As indicated in our article, we have found total body photographs useful in the early recognition of malignant melanomas occurring in patients who have dysplastic nevi.1 The technique was developed by the Section of Photography, Skin and Cancer Unit of the Department of Dermatology, New York University School of Medicine. The purpose of the article was to inform others of the method that we use to document the dysplastic nevi, so that, at the time of future follow up, comparisons can be made between the current status and the previous morphology of the lesions and of the intervening skin. This technique has allowed malignant melanomas to be diagnosed when they are curable (the thickest lesions so diagnosed were 0.88 mm, Breslow measurement).Concerning the photographer, this can be done by office personnel, the physician, or a local photographer. With experience,