Defining the dermoscopic characteristics of fast-growing cutaneous melanomas.
A high growth rate in melanomas has been associated with a more aggressive phenotype and worse survival. The aim of this study was to define the dermoscopic characteristics associated with this type of cutaneous melanoma. We carried out a retrospective study of 132 cutaneous melanomas, analyzing certain clinical characteristics and the most important dermoscopic variables related to the melanomas. Fast-growing melanomas were considered to be those with a growth rate of more than 0.5 mm per month. Fast-growing melanomas more often lacked an atypical network, were symmetrical, presented ulceration, and were hypopigmented. The dermoscopic vascular pattern often showed atypical irregular vessels and milky-red areas. The association of these two is a specific characteristic. Fast-growing melanomas have a characteristic phenotype and dermoscopy can be useful for their identification.
aUnidad de Gestión Clínica de Dermatología, Instituto de Biomedicina de Málaga (IBIMA), Hospital Universitario Virgen de la Victoria/Universidad de Málaga, Málaga bServicio de Dermatología, Hospital Universitario San Cecilio cServicio de Dermatología dServicio de Anatomía Patológica, Instituto Valenciano de Oncología, Valencia, Spain.
Antonio
A
Tejera-Vaquerizo
Salvador
S
Arias-Santiago
Eduardo
E
Nagore
Paula
P
Martín-Cuevas
Javier
J
Orgaz-Molina
Victor
V
Traves
Enrique
E
Herrera-Acosta
Ramón
R
Naranjo-Sintes
Carlos
C
Guillén
Enrique
E
Herrera-Ceballos
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D046169:Dermoscopy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017496:Hypopigmentation / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000098:blood supply / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D016491:Peripheral Vascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012867:Skin / Q000098:blood supply / Q000473:pathology*; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012883:Skin Ulcer / Q000209:etiology; D013030:Spain; D000096142:Cutaneous Malignant Melanoma