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Self‐detection frequency and recognition patterns in medium to high‐risk cutaneous melanoma patients
Author(s) -
Sindrilaru Anca,
Neckermann Vera,
Eigentler Thomas,
Kampilafkos Panagiotis,
Crisan Diana,
Treiber Nicolai,
ScharffetterKochanek Karin,
Schneider Lars Alexander
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
jddg: journal der deutschen dermatologischen gesellschaft
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.463
H-Index - 60
eISSN - 1610-0387
pISSN - 1610-0379
DOI - 10.1111/ddg.12905
Subject(s) - melanoma , medicine , biopsy , sentinel node , referral , retrospective cohort study , dermatology , surgery , cancer , family medicine , breast cancer , cancer research
Summary Background and objectives The question of how frequently patients with medium to high‐risk melanomas become aware of their tumors and which self‐detection patterns exist remains unanswered. Patients and methods We conducted a retrospective survey of melanoma patients who had undergone sentinel node biopsy between 2004 and 2008. One hundred twenty‐seven out of a total of 133 patients completed the questionnaire. Results Twenty‐five percent of patients had not noticed their tumors at all. The remaining 75 % showed three different self‐detection patterns, with 25 % of individuals seeking medical advice within 0–12 weeks and another 25 % within 3–6 months. The remaining 25 % had waited for more than six months prior to tumor excision. Age, gender, and melanoma location were comparable in all self‐detection subgroups. The most frequent subtypes were: SSM (59), NMM (31), ALM (9), UCM (9) and LMM (4). Rare subtypes occurred in 15 individuals. Patients with lesions previously noticed for 3–6 months revealed the highest average tumor thickness and the significantly highest number of pT4 tumors. Sixty percent of NMM patients had a disease history < 6 months. Rare subtypes such as amelanotic, spindle cell, or spitzoid melanoma were self‐detected in only 50 % of cases. Conclusions Even advanced melanoma lesions remained undetected in 25 % of patients; rare melanoma subtypes, in 50 % of cases. Thus, self‐examination frequency, increased awareness of rare melanoma subtypes, and rapid referral to a specialist ought to be at the center of future awareness campaigns.