Two-Step Digital Follow-up of Patients at High Risk for Melanoma: a Retrospective Analysis of 152 Patients

Evaluation of dynamic dermoscopic features of melanoma and benign naevi by sequential digital dermoscopic imaging and total body photography in a high‐risk Australian cohort

“…24 Asymmetric change in size was observed in more than half of all melanomas and found to be more common compared to benign naevi, consistent with other studies. [13][14][15][16] These previous studies reported approximately 34.4%-83.3% of melanomas developing asymmetry after an average follow-up ranging from 12 to 96 months. [13][14][15][16] In contrast, symmetrical increases in size were more common in benign naevi and was the only significant feature in benign naevi.…”

“…[13][14][15][16] In contrast, symmetrical increases in size were more common in benign naevi and was the only significant feature in benign naevi. [13][14][15][16] It is somewhat unusual that one-inthree of the melanomas showed symmetric growth. As there were no nodular melanomas in our cohort this is an important cautionary finding.…”

“…These previous studies reported approximately 34.4%–83.3% of melanomas developing asymmetry after an average follow‐up ranging from 12 to 96 months 13–16 . In contrast, symmetrical increases in size were more common in benign naevi and was the only significant feature in benign naevi 13–16 . It is somewhat unusual that one‐in‐three of the melanomas showed symmetric growth.…”

“…Other pigment network features including negative network, reduced pigment network and development of angulated lines/polygonal or rhomboidal structures/zig‐zag patterns were observed less commonly but at similar rates for both melanoma and benign naevi. Few studies have reported on the evolution of negative pigment network 16,22,25 . Saura et al reviewed 13 melanomas and 85 benign naevi, and observed that the development of a negative pigment network was significant for melanoma 16 .…”

Total body photography for secondary prevention of melanoma

“…Like TBP, sequential digital dermatoscopy detects inconspicuous melanomas by observing changes over time 4 . By combining TBP with digital dermatoscopy, a recently published cohort study achieved an NNB of 6·6 in a high‐risk population 5 . Furthermore, recent advances in diagnostic artificial intelligence indicate that we can improve this number by supporting physicians in detecting outliers in wide‐field images (‘ugly duckling sign’) 6 or aiding inexperienced readers in the interpretation of dermatoscopy images 7 …”