Slow-growing melanoma: a dermoscopy follow-up study

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Oncology
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Melanoma is a diverse group of tumors with variable growth and metastatic potential.
• Epidemiological trends show increasing thin melanoma incidence but stable mortality and thick melanoma rates.
• Some melanomas present with inconspicuous baseline features, necessitating careful monitoring.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the clinico-dermoscopic characteristics and growth patterns of melanomas excised after a year or more of follow-up.
• To understand the progression of melanomas with initially subtle features.
• To correlate dermoscopic changes with tumor growth over time.

Main Methods:

• A multicenter, retrospective analysis of histopathologically confirmed melanomas.
• Comparison of serial dermoscopic images from initial consultation to last follow-up.
• Analysis of changes in size, structure, and development of melanoma-specific criteria using standard algorithms.

Main Results:

• 103 melanomas were analyzed with a median follow-up of 20 months.
• Most lesions remained in situ or early invasive (median Breslow thickness 0.48 mm).
• Common baseline features included asymmetrical pigmentation (78.6%) and reticular pattern (62.1%).
• 58.3% showed minor to moderate changes, with slow progression over a mean of 33 months for major changes.

Conclusions:

• Evidence supports the existence of a slow-growing melanoma subgroup.
• This subgroup may account for the increasing incidence of thin melanomas.
• Understanding these slow-growing melanomas is crucial for accurate diagnosis and management.