Effective detection of plantar malignant melanoma

Application of fluorescence in situ hybridization in distinguishing acral melanoma in situ from acral junctional melanocytic nevus on the volar skin in Japanese patients

Four-colored fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) is an ancillary diagnostic tool for melanoma. However, most studies that have investigated the usefulness of FISH primarily focused on advanced melanomas. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the effectiveness of FISH in distinguishing acral melanoma (AM) in situ from benign acral junctional nevus (AJN), two types of lesions that are difficult to differentiate via traditional clinical means. The authors investigated the usefulness of FISH in 91 acral melanocytic lesions, including 50 lesions with diagnostic discrepancies between dermoscopic and pathologic approaches or difficulty diagnosing between AM in situ and AJN, on the volar skin of Japanese patients. The authors classified the lesions based on the diagnosis of dermatologists and pathologists into four groups: (I) lesions with a unanimous diagnosis by dermatologists and pathologists as AM in situ or AJN (n = 41); (II) lesions with a unanimous diagnosis by dermatologists only as AM in situ or AJN (n = 21); (III) lesions with a unanimous diagnosis by pathologists only as AM in situ or AJN (n = 15); and (IV) all other lesions (n = 14). The dermatologists diagnosed the lesions by clinical and dermoscopic photographs alone, while the pathologists diagnosed the lesions by microscopy of hematoxylin and eosin-stained slides alone. In group I (AM in situ [n = 20] and AJN [n = 21]), four-colored FISH demonstrated 90% sensitivity and 81% specificity in distinguishing AM in situ from AJN. There was a significant correlation between the FISH results and the unanimous diagnoses by pathologists alone (p = 0.03) in group III. However, FISH results were not significantly correlated with the unanimous diagnoses by dermatologists alone (p = 0.33) in group II. In conclusion, the four-colored FISH probe kit was useful in distinguishing between AM in situ and AJN and may be an ancillary method when pathologists who are not experts of dermatopathology diagnose melanocytic lesions.

Improving the diagnosis and treatment of acral melanocytic lesions

Melanocytic lesions of acral sites are common, with an estimated prevalence of 28-36% in the USA. While the majority of these lesions are benign, differentiation from acral melanoma (AM) is often challenging. AM is a unique subtype of melanoma, with distinct molecular characteristics that are thought to contribute to its high rate of locoregional recurrence and worse prognosis. The advent of dermoscopy has since improved the diagnostic accuracy of AM, resulting in earlier detection and arguably improved survival. Additionally, the identification of unique genomic amplifications in AM invites the potential for future AM-specific targeted therapies. Herein, we discuss the importance of dermoscopy in the diagnosis of acral melanocytic lesions and review the treatment strategies for AM.

Dermoscopy of difficult-to-diagnose Melanomas

Dermoscopy is a non-invasive procedure that allows the evaluation of cutaneous lesions, and is considered to be a useful tool that improves the diagnostic accuracy of melanoma. Many dermoscopic criteria of melanoma have been established and several algorithms have been created for melanoma detection. However, the recognition of some melanomas remains challenging. Melanomas on specific body sites, melanomas in patients with multiple atypical moles, and nodular melanomas represent the most difficult-to-recognize melanoma subtypes, since they typically lack the “classic” melanoma-specific criteria. This paper provides an update on dermoscopy of difficult-to-diagnose melanomas by summarizing the newest data. Lastly, we highlight the importance of digital dermoscopy in the follow-up of melanocytic lesions for the detection of incipient melanomas while maintaining a low excision rate.

Dermoscopy of acral melanoma: a multicenter study on behalf of the international dermoscopy society

BACKGROUND

Most studies on dermoscopy of acral lesions were conducted in Asian populations. In this study, we analyzed these features in a predominantly Caucasian population.

OBJECTIVE

Estimate the prevalence of dermoscopic features in acral lesions, and assess their level of agreement between observers.

METHODS

In this retrospective multicenter study, 167 acral lesions (66 melanomas) were evaluated for 13 dermoscopic patterns by 26 physicians, via a secured Internet platform.

RESULTS

Parallel furrow pattern, bizarre pattern, and diffuse pigmentation with variable shades of brown had the highest prevalence. The agreement for lesion patterns between physicians was variable. Agreement was dependent on the level of diagnostic difficulty.

CONCLUSION

Lesions with a diameter >1 cm were more likely to be melanoma. We found as well that a benign pattern can be seen in parts of melanomas. For this reason one should evaluate an acral lesion for the presence of malignant patterns first.

Volar melanotic macules in a gardener: a case report and review of the literature

Volar melanotic macules are asymptomatic, tan-brown to brownish-black macules found on the palms, fingers, soles, and/or toes of dark-skinned individuals and are infrequently reported in light-skinned individuals. Herein, we report the acquisition of multiple, brownish-black volar digital macules in a 63-year-old white woman and avid gardener that were noted after the onset of pruritic, chronic hand dermatitis over a 10-month period. She was healthy without any medical conditions or medications. No family history of intestinal polyposis or mucosal melanosis existed. At presentation, she had less than 20 brownish-black, 2- to 10-mm irregular macules over the volar aspect of the thumbs and index fingers, left greater than right hand, associated with erythema, scale, and a negative potassium hydroxide examination. In addition, she had melanotic macules of her lips, buccal mucosa, and conjuctiva. No nail or anogenital macules were found. Biopsy demonstrated a region of epidermal hyperplasia, hyperkeratosis, and interface dermatitis associated with melanophages and sparse lymphocytic infiltrate. Melanin staining revealed diffuse pan-epidermal hypermelanization, dermal melanin, and dendritic melanocytes, which expressed HMB-45. After 1-year follow-up and treatment with topical corticosteroid, the volar macules have faded to tan brown. Based on the location, avocation, and coexisting mucosal melanotic macules, an irritant phytodermatitis with postinflammatory hyperpigmentation was diagnosed in the setting of Laugier-Hunziker syndrome-a disorder denoted by macular hyperpigmentation of nail, volar, and/or mucosal surfaces in healthy adults. Volar melanotic macules can also complicate 5-flourouracil therapy, tinea pedis, and other inflammatory disorders; be associated with acral melanomas; or represent a cutaneous manifestation of systemic disease such as Addison disease, Peutz-Jegher syndrome, Leopard syndrome, Carney syndrome, AIDS, and neurofibromatosis.

Acral melanoma simulating warts: dermoscopic clues to prevent missing a melanoma

BACKGROUND

Acral melanoma may adopt a variety of clinical characteristics simulating other tumors, ulcers, hemorrhage, or infections. In the Caucasian population health care providers often misdiagnose acral melanoma, and this is the cause of inadequate treatments. Clinical and dermoscopic clues can be easily recognized, which help to prevent missing a melanoma.

OBJECTIVES

To study the clinical and dermoscopic findings in three cases of acral melanoma simulating warts that had been treated by dermatologists with curettage and cryotherapy.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Clinical and dermoscopic study of the tumors and review of the most frequent simulators of acral melanoma reported in the literature.

RESULTS

In all three tumors, hyperkeratosis and the lack of specific pigmentation were observed. The parallel ridge pattern, revealed by dermoscopic examination, precipitated the recognition of acral melanoma.

CONCLUSION

In these cases that presented atypical characteristics of acral lesions, therefore challenging the diagnostic process, dermoscopic examination helped to confirm an accurate diagnosis of acral melanoma.

Plantar malignant melanoma -- a challenge for early recognition

The incidence of malignant melanoma has been continuously increasing over the last few decades. Non-plantar melanomas are nowadays usually diagnosed and treated surgically at an early stage. In contrast, melanoma in a plantar location is usually diagnosed at an advanced tumour stage, conferring a poor prognosis. To discover the reasons for this remarkable difference in recognition and prognosis, we analysed our cases of plantar malignant melanoma in a retrospective study. From 1990 to 1997, we treated 925 melanoma patients. Of these, 68 cases (7%) were classified as plantar melanoma. For non-plantar melanoma patients the mean age was 52.6 years, the mean Clark level was 2.8 and the mean tumour depth was 1.22 mm. In contrast, the mean age of patients with plantar melanoma was 63.3 years, the mean Clark level was 3.61 and the mean tumour depth was 2.55 mm. The mean time between the first observation of the plantar skin lesion and the first consultation with a physician (patients' delay) was 4.8 years and, on average, it took an additional 7 months before adequate surgical treatment was performed (physicians' delay). The prognosis of our patients was poor. In 98.5% (n = 67) further metastases were observed on follow-up. Since there is still no cure for advanced plantar malignant melanoma, the early detection and subsequent surgical treatment of plantar melanoma is decisive for the prognosis. Based on our results, the poor survival can be improved by a significant reduction in the time period between the first observation of a plantar skin lesion and surgical treatment. Therefore there is an urgent need for special preventive health care campaigns to reduce significantly both the patients' and the physicians' delay.

Epidemiology and prognosis of plantar melanoma in 62 Japanese patients over a 28-year period

BACKGROUND

The plantar surface is one of the commonest sites of malignant melanoma in the Japanese; however, the biological behavior is not sufficiently clarified, because of the paucity of long-term studies. We attempted an epidemiologic survey of the cases of plantar melanoma treated in our institute to study the survival rate in the recent period.

METHODS

Of the 207 cases of malignant melanoma observed over the past 28 years, 62 patients were diagnosed as having plantar melanoma. The proportion of plantar melanoma to all melanomas, the sex and age of the patients, and the histologic type, stage, and prognosis were evaluated by comparing those registered in the first half (1969-1982) and the second half (1983-1996) of the period.

RESULTS

The proportions of plantar melanoma in the first and second half periods were 31% (28 out of 90) and 29% (34 out of 117), respectively. No sex difference in the patients was observed. The mean age of the patients was 67 years. Fifty-one lesions were histologically proven to be acral lentiginous melanoma (ALM), two were superficial spreading melanoma (SSM), and nine were nodular melanoma (NM). Of the nine NMs, eight were registered in the second half period. The heel was affected in 33 (53%), the metatarsal regions in nine (14%), the toes in six (10%), and the arch areas in 14 (23%). The proportion of the weight-bearing areas, including the heel, metatarsal areas, and toes, decreased in the second half period. A comparison of the stages of plantar melanoma showed that, in the first half period, there were 18% of patients with stage IV disease in contrast to none in the second half period. Conversely, the proportion of stage I and II disease was 50% in the second half period, whereas it was only 39% in the first half period. The 5-year survival rates in the first and second half periods were 56% and 71%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The prognosis of plantar melanoma has improved recently at our institute. The possible explanation for a trend to better survival in the second half period may be related to a decrease in stage IV disease as well as to an increase in the frequency of diagnosis of early stage disease.

Public education and cancer of the skin. What do people need to know about melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancer?

Cutaneous melanoma (CM) and nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) have a high chance for cure if detected in an early phase of development. Patients who have these tumors may now be treated in the outpatient setting with a minimum of discomfort, inconvenience, and cost. Most skin cancer deaths are caused by CM. Until recently, CM incidence in the United States has been increasing faster than any other potentially lethal cancer, attributable at least in part to aggressive case detection and greater public awareness about the significance of risk factors and early warning signs of evolving tumors, resulting in increased numbers of curable tumors. Most CMs are discovered by patients or close acquaintances. Most CM deaths are related to patient delay in seeking medical care. Patient delay is attributed mostly to lack of knowledge rather than to fear and denial. In the United States, primary prevention of CM and NMSC has focused on encouraging sensible sun-exposure behaviors, while secondary prevention consists of a yearly national campaign that promotes skin awareness and self-examination and free examinations to detect evolving tumors, sponsored by the American Academy of Dermatology and the American Cancer Society. More attention is needed to encourage timely consultation for evolving tumors and predisposing risk factors and to focus screening and surveillance efforts of those people at greatest risk. Public education must continue to promote personal responsibility in the intervention process to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with CM and NMSC.