Variegated dermoscopy of in situ melanoma.
BACKGROUND
Melanomas in situ (MIS) are difficult to diagnose, lacking well-established dermoscopic descriptors.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to improve the identification of early melanomas describing the variegated dermoscopic features of MIS and their correlation with demographic and clinical aspects.


METHODS
Dermoscopic images of 114 histologically proven MIS were evaluated by 3 expert dermoscopists and classified into their main dermoscopic patterns. Dermoscopic features were also considered for their correlation with clinical parameters.


RESULTS
Eight different dermoscopic subtypes of MIS were identified: reticular grey-blue (27.2%), reticular (21.1%), multicomponent (20.2%), island (10.5%), spitzoid (7%), inverse network (6.1%), 'net-blue globules' (5.3%) and globular (2.6%). Clinical characteristics of lesions and patients varied according to the different dermoscopic groups.


CONCLUSIONS
We hypothesize that the different dermoscopic subgroups of MIS correspond to lesions with a different origin and, possibly, various patterns of growth and a different biological behaviour.
Department of Dermatology, University of Modena, Modena, Italy. seidenari.stefania@unimore.it
Stefania
S
Seidenari
Sara
S
Bassoli
Stefania
S
Borsari
Chiara
C
Ferrari
Francesca
F
Giusti
Giovanni
G
Ponti
Carlo
C
Tomasini
Cristina
C
Magnoni
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002278:Carcinoma in Situ / Q000473:pathology*; D046169:Dermoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000473:pathology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*