The role of dermoscopy and digital dermoscopy follow-up in the clinical diagnosis of melanoma: clinical and dermoscopic features of 99 consecutive primary melanomas.
BACKGROUND
Early recognition is the most important intervention to improve melanoma prognosis.


OBJECTIVE
To report the value of dermoscopy and digital dermoscopy in the clinical diagnosis of malignant melanoma (MM).


METHODS
Retrospective analysis of 99 consecutive primary MMs diagnosed between 2010 and 2013. The MMs were divided into 3 groups: 1) the MM was the reason for consultation (MMC), 2) the MM was detected during routine control of nevi (MMRC), and 3) the MM was detected due to changes observed during digital dermoscopy follow-up (MMDFU). Clinical, dermoscopic and histologic features were assessed.


RESULTS
A total of 99 MMs were diagnosed in 89 patients (55% male) with a mean age of 50.8 (18-93) years. Of all the MMs, 35 were the reason for patient consultation (MMC), 52 were detected during routine control of nevi (MMRC) and 12 were diagnosed due to changes observed with digital dermoscopy (MMDFU). On clinical examination, 74.2 % of MMC met the 4 ABCD criteria, while only 30.7 % of MMRC and 8.3 % of MMDFU. Most MMC were correctly classified as malignant according to dermoscopy, but 44.2% of MMRC and only 16.7% of MMDFU. 22.9% of MMC, 50% of MMRC and 58.3% of MMDFU were in situ. Mean Breslow thickness was significantly lower in the MMDFU group (0.52 mm) than in the MMRC and MMDFU groups (0.77 and 1.43 mm respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
The use of dermoscopy and digital dermoscopy allows the detection of MMs in early stages, even in the absence of specific criteria for malignancy.
Hospital Provincial del Centenario de Rosario, Argentina, & Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Argentina ; Diagnóstico Médico Oroño, Rosario, Argentina.
Gabriel
G
Salerni
Faculty, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Argentina.
Teresita
T
Terán
Hospital Provincial del Centenario de Rosario, Argentina, & Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Argentina ; Diagnóstico Médico Oroño, Rosario, Argentina.
Carlos
C
Alonso
Hospital Provincial del Centenario de Rosario, Argentina, & Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Argentina.
Ramón
R
Fernández-Bussy
atypical mole syndrome; dermoscopy; follow-up; imaging techniques; melanoma