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Dermoscopic features of melanomas associated with MC1R variants in Spanish CDKN2A mutation carriers
Author(s) -
Cuéllar F.,
Puig S.,
Kolm I.,
PuigButille J.,
Zaballos P.,
MartíLaborda R.,
Badenas C.,
Malvehy J.
Publication year - 2009
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/j.1365-2133.2008.08826.x
Subject(s) - cdkn2a , melanoma , dermatoscopy , medicine , dermatology , family history , pathology , cancer , cancer research
Summary Background The presence of at least one MC1R gene variant is associated with a reduction in age at melanoma diagnosis in families with CDKN2A mutations. Objectives To describe dermoscopic features of early melanoma in CDKN2A gene mutation‐positive Spanish individuals and to evaluate the possibility of a correlation between particular dermatoscopic pattern and MC1R gene variants. Methods Patients in whom a melanoma was diagnosed during specific follow up of high‐risk individuals carrying CDKN2A mutations (with familial or personal history of previous melanoma) were included in this study. The decision to remove such melanomas was taken on the basis of history, clinical and dermoscopic evaluations including total body photography and digital dermoscopy. Results Of the nine patients included in this study, three were noncarriers of the red hair MC1R polymorphism, three patients had one red hair MC1R polymorphism and three patients had two red hair MC1R polymorphisms. On dermoscopic analysis of suspect melanocytic lesions we found that the mean ± SD ABCD total dermoscopy score (TDS) was significantly higher in noncarriers of red hair MC1R polymorphisms than in carriers of two MC1R gene red hair variants (6·8 ± 0·4 vs. 4·4 ± 0·9; P = 0·014). Conclusions Early melanomas in patients with two MC1R red hair variants may be difficult to diagnose definitively by dermoscopy because, in our limited experience, they show fewer colours and structures and have a lower TDS. In such melanomas, subtle atypical vessels and other changes detected by digital image follow up may be useful to confirm the diagnosis of melanoma. An integrated approach including clinical history and dermoscopic data (also considering additional information, such as the presence of atypical vessels) should be utilized in evaluating these high‐risk patients. Further studies are necessary to confirm our suggestion.