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Defining the dermoscopic characteristics of fast-growing cutaneous melanomas
Antonio Tejera-Vaquerizo1, Salvador Arias-Santiago, Eduardo Nagore
1aUnidad 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.
Abstract:
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.
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