BACKGROUND: Atypical nevi are a common risk factor for melanoma. OBJECTIVES: The objective was to determine the utility of monitoring dermoscopic photographs of atypical nevi in a high-risk population. METHODS: Over a 4.5-year period, digital dermoscopic photographs were taken of clinically atypical nevi at initial and follow-up visits, such that side-by-side comparisons could be made. RESULTS: A total of 5,945 lesions were monitored in 297 patients over 3 to 52 months (median, 22 months), and 324 lesions were biopsied. Photographic (dermoscopic) changes were noted in 96 of 5,945 (1.6%) lesions, which included 64 dysplastic nevi (67%), 25 common nevi (26%), and 1 melanoma (1.0%). Of 6 melanomas biopsied during the follow-up period, only 1 was detected by dermoscopic photographic change at follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Most clinically atypical melanocytic nevi are stable over time, and lesions exhibiting dermoscopic changes are most likely to be dysplastic nevi. Although dermoscopy is a useful tool for clinical examination, the sensitivity of dermoscopic monitoring is limited by melanomas that may arise in normal skin or in clinically benign nevi that were not initially photographed.
BACKGROUND: Atypical nevi are a common risk factor for melanoma. OBJECTIVES: The objective was to determine the utility of monitoring dermoscopic photographs of atypical nevi in a high-risk population. METHODS: Over a 4.5-year period, digital dermoscopic photographs were taken of clinically atypical nevi at initial and follow-up visits, such that side-by-side comparisons could be made. RESULTS: A total of 5,945 lesions were monitored in 297 patients over 3 to 52 months (median, 22 months), and 324 lesions were biopsied. Photographic (dermoscopic) changes were noted in 96 of 5,945 (1.6%) lesions, which included 64 dysplastic nevi (67%), 25 common nevi (26%), and 1 melanoma (1.0%). Of 6 melanomas biopsied during the follow-up period, only 1 was detected by dermoscopic photographic change at follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Most clinically atypical melanocytic nevi are stable over time, and lesions exhibiting dermoscopic changes are most likely to be dysplastic nevi. Although dermoscopy is a useful tool for clinical examination, the sensitivity of dermoscopic monitoring is limited by melanomas that may arise in normal skin or in clinically benign nevi that were not initially photographed.
Authors: Chere R Lucas; Linda L Sanders; John C Murray; Sarah A Myers; Russell P Hall; James M Grichnik Journal: J Am Acad Dermatol Date: 2003-05 Impact factor: 11.527
Authors: Paolo Carli; Vincenzo de Giorgi; Alessandra Chiarugi; Paolo Nardini; Martin A Weinstock; Emanuele Crocetti; Marcello Stante; Benvenuto Giannotti Journal: J Am Acad Dermatol Date: 2004-05 Impact factor: 11.527
Authors: Steven Q Wang; Alfred W Kopf; Karen Koenig; David Polsky; Kira Nudel; Robert S Bart Journal: J Am Acad Dermatol Date: 2004-01 Impact factor: 11.527
Authors: Agnessa Gadeliya Goodson; Scott R Florell; Mark Hyde; Glen M Bowen; Douglas Grossman Journal: Dermatol Surg Date: 2010-07 Impact factor: 3.398
Authors: J Malvehy; A Hauschild; C Curiel-Lewandrowski; P Mohr; R Hofmann-Wellenhof; R Motley; C Berking; D Grossman; J Paoli; C Loquai; J Olah; U Reinhold; H Wenger; T Dirschka; S Davis; C Henderson; H Rabinovitz; J Welzel; D Schadendorf; U Birgersson Journal: Br J Dermatol Date: 2014-10-19 Impact factor: 9.302
Authors: Ryan G Gamble; Daniel Jensen; Andrea L Suarez; Anne H Hanson; Lauren McLaughlin; Jodi Duke; Robert P Dellavalle Journal: Cancers (Basel) Date: 2010-06-07 Impact factor: 6.639