Dermoscopic evaluation of nodular melanoma

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Oncology
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Nodular melanoma (NM) is an aggressive skin cancer requiring prompt diagnosis.
• Dermoscopy is a key tool for evaluating pigmented skin lesions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify and characterize the dermoscopy features of nodular melanoma (NM).
• To differentiate NM from other nodular lesions using dermoscopy.

Main Methods:

• Dermoscopy features were analyzed in 83 NM cases and compared with invasive non-NM, benign melanocytic tumors, and nonmelanocytic tumors.
• Lesions were categorized as pigmented or amelanotic/hypomelanotic.

Main Results:

• Amelanotic/hypomelanotic NM was more common than in invasive non-NM.
• Pigmented NM exhibited features such as symmetrical patterns, homogeneous blue pigmentation, and a blue-white veil.
• Diagnostic models showed high sensitivity for pigmented melanoma but lower sensitivity for amelanotic/hypomelanotic NM.

Conclusions:

• Symmetrical, progressively growing melanocytic nodules warrant exclusion of nodular melanoma.
• Dermoscopy aids in identifying NM, particularly amelanotic/hypomelanotic variants, through characteristic features.