title: Dysplastic nevi, cutaneous melanoma, and other skin neoplasms in patients with myotonic dystrophy type 1: a cross-sectional study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (MD1) is reported to be associated with internal malignancies. The association of myotonic dystrophy with cutaneous tumors is not fully understood.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We sought to explore the total nevi count and the presence of atypical nevi, cutaneous melanoma, and other skin neoplasms in a representative cohort of patients with MD1 and to compare the findings with age- and sex-matched control subjects.
  
  
  METHODS
  In all, 90 patients with MD1 and 103 age- and sex-matched control subjects were assessed for cutaneous neoplasms by clinical skin and epiluminescence examination (dermoscopy). Where indicated, subsequent excisions were performed. In patients with MD1, leukocyte n(CTG) expansion was measured.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients with MD1 showed significantly higher numbers of nevi, dysplastic nevi, and melanomas despite a significantly greater proportion of the control subjects reporting sunburns. In addition, we found a significantly greater number of pilomatrixoma in patients with MD1.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our study is limited by the fact that there is no agreed-upon standardized technique to assess for prior sun exposure. Further research in the association of cutaneous neoplasms and MD1 including vitamin D and molecular biological techniques are also recommended.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  MD1 itself may predispose to development of skin tumors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Policlinico A. Gemelli, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy; Department of Dermatology, Barts NHS (National Health System) Trust, London, United Kingdom. Electronic address: anna.zampetti@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zampetti
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Policlinico A. Gemelli, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Gabriella
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Silvestri
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Policlinico A. Gemelli, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Simona
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Manco
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Policlinico A. Gemelli, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Katy
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Khamis
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Policlinico A. Gemelli, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy; San Raffaele Pisana, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCSS), Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Marcella
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Masciullo
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Policlinico A. Gemelli, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria Laura Ester
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Bianchi
authors.affiliation: Unione Italiana Lotta alla Distrofia Muscolare, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Antonello
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Damiani
authors.affiliation: Don Carlo Gnocchi Foundation Organizzazione non lucrativa di utilità sociale (ONLUS), Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Santoro
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University of Padua, Padua, Italy; University Clinic for Medical Psychology, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
authors.forename: Dennis
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Linder
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Barts NHS (National Health System) Trust, London, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Anthony
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bewley
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University of Parma, Parma, Italy.
authors.forename: Claudio
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Feliciani
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004416:Dysplastic Nevus Syndrome / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009223:Myotonic Dystrophy / Q000150:complications*; D015995:Prevalence; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Steinert disease; dermoscopy; dysplastic nevus; melanoma; myotonic dystrophy; nonmelanoma skin cancer; pilomatrixoma; skin cancer