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Postexcisional melanocytic regrowth extending beyond the initial scar: a novel clinical sign of melanoma
Author(s) -
Kelly J.W.,
Shen S.,
Pan Y.,
Dowling J.,
McLean C.A.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
british journal of dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.304
H-Index - 179
eISSN - 1365-2133
pISSN - 0007-0963
DOI - 10.1111/bjd.12780
Subject(s) - medicine , melanocytic nevus , melanoma , scars , dermatology , lesion , sign (mathematics) , nevus , congenital melanocytic nevus , skin lesion , pathology , mathematical analysis , mathematics , cancer research
Summary Background Recurrent naevi are widely recognized to occur commonly following incomplete removal of melanocytic lesions. These lesions have been generally understood as representing benign imitators of melanoma. Objectives To provide a formal description of the clinical findings of postexcisional melanocytic regrowth. Methods We examined all cases of recurrent pigmentation adjacent to scars from previous excisional biopsies of melanocytic naevi treated at a private dermatology practice from 1995 to 2012. Results We report nine cases of recurrence of melanocytic lesions that were melanomas. The most suspicious clinical feature for melanoma in these cases was the growth of the lesion beyond the confines of the initial scar, into the surrounding normal skin. Conclusions This pattern of recurrence of a melanocytic lesion represents a little recognized and distinctive clinical presenting sign of melanoma.