Granularity, angulated lines characteristics of melanomas on nonfacial chronically sun-damaged skin

Source: Healio.com/dermatology, May 2015

Lesions manifesting dermoscopic structures including granularity, angulated lines or certain dermoscopic patterns were most frequent characteristics of melanomas on nonfacial chronically sun-damaged skin, according to study results.

Researchers used biopsy specimen logs of six melanoma clinics in the United States and Australia to identify cases of melanomas on nonfacial chronically sun-damaged skin (CSDS). Excluded melanomas included those on the head, neck, volar surface, breasts, genitalia and buttocks. Analysis was conducted on demographics, clinical, dermoscopic and histopathologic information.

Inclusion criteria were met by 186 cases (average age, 68.5 years; 60% men), which included 142 melanomas in situ (76.3%) and 39 invasive melanomas (21%; average thickness, 0.49 mm). The most common histopathologic subtypes were lentigo malinga (40.9%) and superficial spreading melanoma (22.6%). The most common location of lesions were on the back (47.8%) and upper extremities (32.8%). Granularity was the most frequent dermoscopic structure (67.7%), followed by angulated lines (44.1%).

Invasive melanomas were more likely to contain vascular structures (56%) compared with in situ melanomas (12%). “Patchy peripheral pigmented islands,” angulated lines and lesions with tan structureless areas and granularity were the most frequent dermoscopic patterns.

“Identifying clinical outlier lesions and routine performing dermoscopy on these may aid in the recognition and differentiation of melanomas on nonfacial CSDS,” the researchers concluded.