Peripheral stellate telangiectasias: a clinical-dermoscopic clue for diganosing cutaneous melanoma metastases

Abstract

Background: The clinical and dermoscopic diagnosis of cutaneous melanoma metastases may be challenging especially in patients with unknown primary melanoma. Main observations:We observed repetitive dermoscopic patterns of peripheral stellate telangiectasias in cutaneous melanoma metastases from 3 patients, of whom 2 had an unknown primary melanoma. Conclusions:Stellate telangiectasias surrounding bluish to purple or red nodules with recent onset may represent a clue for cutaneous melanoma metastases. (J Dermatol Case Rep.

Blue Lesions

“…6). 35 The diagnosis of cutaneous melanoma metastasis is usually suspected based on a previous history of primary invasive melanoma. New lesions, located in proximity to the surgical scar of the primary melanoma (satellite metastases) or at a more distant location, that do not show convincing dermoscopic criteria of nevi or other benign diagnoses, should be promptly excised in suspicion of melanoma metastasis.…”

Confocal microscopy and dermoscopy for the monitoring of BRAF inhibitor therapy of melanoma skin metastases

“…Among all imaging tools, dermoscopy and RCM represent pivotal tools not only for skin cancer diagnosis but also for treatment monitoring . The dermoscopic features of skin melanoma metastasis have been fully elucidated, with ‘blue naevus like’ being one of the most common patterns.…”

Letter to the Editor Dermoscopy of nodular skin metastases from the gastrointestinal primary cancer

“…Vessels characteristic of advanced tumors are wider, coarse, more irregular and variable [ 11 ]. To date, only dermoscopic features of metastatic melanoma have ever been widely described [ 14 – 17 ]. A clue for cutaneous melanoma metastases in differential diagnosis of bluish, purple or red nodules with recent onset may be found in the form of the presence of stellate telangiectasias surrounding the lesion [ 17 ].…”

“…To date, only dermoscopic features of metastatic melanoma have ever been widely described [ 14 – 17 ]. A clue for cutaneous melanoma metastases in differential diagnosis of bluish, purple or red nodules with recent onset may be found in the form of the presence of stellate telangiectasias surrounding the lesion [ 17 ]. In this case, linear, irregular prominent vessels or stellate telangiectasias at the periphery surrounded by a structureless metastatic lesion are typical [ 17 ].…”

“…A clue for cutaneous melanoma metastases in differential diagnosis of bluish, purple or red nodules with recent onset may be found in the form of the presence of stellate telangiectasias surrounding the lesion [ 17 ]. In this case, linear, irregular prominent vessels or stellate telangiectasias at the periphery surrounded by a structureless metastatic lesion are typical [ 17 ]. The predominant dermoscopic feature of a melanotic cutaneous metastases of melanoma was the presence of vascular structures, including serpentine, glomerular, irregular hairpin and corkscrew-like vessels [ 14 ].…”