Both short-term and long-term dermoscopy monitoring is useful in detecting melanoma in patients with multiple atypical nevi.
Title | Both short-term and long-term dermoscopy monitoring is useful in detecting melanoma in patients with multiple atypical nevi. |
Publication Type | Journal Article |
Year of Publication | 2017 |
Authors | Moscarella, E., Tion I., Zalaudek I., Lallas A., Kyrgidis A., Longo C., Lombardi M., Raucci M., Satta R., Alfano R., & Argenziano G. |
Journal | J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol |
Volume | 31 |
Issue | 2 |
Pagination | 247-251 |
Date Published | 2017 Feb |
ISSN | 1468-3083 |
Keywords | Adolescent, Adult, Aged, Child, Dermoscopy, Diagnosis, Differential, Follow-Up Studies, Humans, Melanoma, Middle Aged, Nevus, Patient Compliance, Retrospective Studies, Young Adult |
Abstract | BACKGROUND: Digital dermoscopy monitoring (DDM) is an effective strategy for melanoma detection. Two methods are currently employed. Short-term follow-up (STFU) for the evaluation of single, atypical lesions to detect subtle changes over a short period of time (3-6 months). Long-term follow-up (LTFU) is recommended for patients with multiple nevi. Although a study demonstrated that STFU improves the patients' compliance for DDM, little remains known about the impact and reliability of STFU in this setting.OBJECTIVES: The aim of this retrospective, observational study was to evaluate the impact and reliability of a schedule combining STFU and LTFU in patients with multiple atypical nevi.METHODS: We searched our database for all cases of patients with multiple atypical nevi occurring between 2006 and 2014.RESULTS: A total of 3823 lesions in 541 patients were dermoscopically monitored (mean number = 7 lesions per patient; median = 6 lesions; range, 2-51). In all, 264 (6.9%) lesions in 184 (34.4%) patients were excised (mean of 0.5 lesions per patient). In total, 197 (74.6%) lesions were excised at follow-up, with melanomas representing 30.5% of lesions excised after follow-up. A total of 30 (33.3%) melanomas were excised at baseline, 23 (25.6%) after STFU and 37 (41.1%) after LTFU. There was no difference in the number of in situ melanomas detected at baseline with those detected after follow-up. The mean Breslow thickness of melanomas detected at baseline was higher than those detected after STFU (P = 0.038) and LTFU (P = 0.055).CONCLUSIONS: Our study confirm that digital dermoscopy follow-up is a valid management strategy for patients with multiple atypical nevi, with short-term monitoring playing an effective role also in this setting of patients. |
DOI | 10.1111/jdv.13840 |
Alternate Journal | J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol |
PubMed ID | 27422807 |