Clinical and dermoscopic characteristics of congenital and noncongenital nevus-associated melanomas
December 23, 2020
Abstract
Background: No specific features of nevus-associated melanoma (NAM) are currently defined.
Objective: To identify clinical/dermoscopic features of NAM.
Methods: Retrospective evaluation of histopathologically diagnosed NAM.
Results: Eighty of 165 NAMs had a clinically recognizable nevus component, often raised or nodular, most frequently characterized by different morphologic clones and/or colors. In 111 of 165 NAMs, dermoscopy showed a nevus component, prevalently characterized by regular dots/clods and structureless brown areas. Clinically, the melanoma component was eccentric/peripheral in 45 of 80 cases and central in 35 of 80; dermoscopically, the figures were 59 of 111 and 52 of 111, respectively. Melanomas associated with congenital nevi (C-NAMs) occur at a younger age and have a thicker Breslow depth than melanomas associated with acquired nevi (NC-NAMs). Dermoscopically, regular dots/globules characterize C-NAMs, and hypopigmented structureless areas characterize NC-NAMs.
Limitations: Retrospective analysis.
Conclusion: C-NAMs are more often central to a congenital nevus, with a clod/globular or structureless brown pattern, typical of young patients. NC-NAMs are frequently hypopigmented nodules/plaques, eccentric/peripheral, with hypopigmented structureless areas, typical of older patients.
Source:
Zalaudek, I., Conforti, C., Guarneri, F., Vezzoni, R., Deinlein, T., Hofmann-Wellenhof, R., . . . Giuffrida, R. (2020). Clinical and dermoscopic characteristics of congenital and noncongenital nevus-associated melanomas. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 83(4), 1080-1087. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2020.04.120