E Moscarella1, I Tion2, I Zalaudek3, A Lallas1, A Kyrgidis1, C Longo1, M Lombardi1, M Raucci1, R Satta2, R Alfano4, G Argenziano5. 1. Dermatology and Skin Cancer Unit, Arcispedale Santa Maria Nuova IRCCS, Reggio Emilia, Italy. 2. Unit of Dermatology, Department of Surgical, Microsurgical and Medical Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy. 3. Department of Dermatology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria. 4. Department of Anesthesiology, Surgery and Emergency, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy. 5. Dermatology Unit, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy.
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.
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.
Authors: Veronica Rotemberg; Nicholas Kurtansky; Brigid Betz-Stablein; Liam Caffery; Emmanouil Chousakos; Noel Codella; Marc Combalia; Stephen Dusza; Pascale Guitera; David Gutman; Allan Halpern; Brian Helba; Harald Kittler; Kivanc Kose; Steve Langer; Konstantinos Lioprys; Josep Malvehy; Shenara Musthaq; Jabpani Nanda; Ofer Reiter; George Shih; Alexander Stratigos; Philipp Tschandl; Jochen Weber; H Peter Soyer Journal: Sci Data Date: 2021-01-28 Impact factor: 6.444