title: Postexcisional melanocytic regrowth extending beyond the initial scar: a novel clinical sign of melanoma.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Recurrent naevi are widely recognized to occur commonly following incomplete removal of melanocytic lesions. These lesions have been generally understood as representing benign imitators of melanoma.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To provide a formal description of the clinical findings of postexcisional melanocytic regrowth.
  
  
  METHODS
  We examined all cases of recurrent pigmentation adjacent to scars from previous excisional biopsies of melanocytic naevi treated at a private dermatology practice from 1995 to 2012.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We report nine cases of recurrence of melanocytic lesions that were melanomas. The most suspicious clinical feature for melanoma in these cases was the growth of the lesion beyond the confines of the initial scar, into the surrounding normal skin.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This pattern of recurrence of a melanocytic lesion represents a little recognized and distinctive clinical presenting sign of melanoma.
authors: Victorian Melanoma Service, The Alfred Hospital, Commercial Road, Prahran, 3181, Victoria, Australia.
authors: J W
authors: JW
authors: Kelly
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Shen
authors: Y
authors: Y
authors: Pan
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Dowling
authors: C A
authors: CA
authors: McLean
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000473:pathology*; D009508:Nevus, Pigmented / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000473:pathology*; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D055815:Young Adult