TY - JOUR
T1 - Melanoma in situ in a private practice setting 2005 through 2009
T2 - Location, lesion size, lack of concern
AU - Stricklin, Sherea M.
AU - Stoecker, William V.
AU - Malters, Joseph M.
AU - Drugge, Rhett
AU - Oliviero, Margaret
AU - Rabinovitz, Harold S.
AU - Perry, Lindall A.
PY - 2012/9
Y1 - 2012/9
N2 - Background: Studies have shown that the incidence of melanoma in situ (MIS) is increasing significantly. Objective: This study analyzes selected clinical and demographic characteristics of MIS cases observed in private dermatology practices in the United States. Methods: This study collected 257 MIS cases from 4 private dermatology practices in the United States from January 2005 through December 2009, recording age, gender, anatomic location, lesion size, patient-reported change in lesion, and concern about lesion. Case totals for invasive melanoma during the same period were recorded. Results: The data collected showed a higher incidence of MIS in sun-exposed areas of older patients, especially men. The median age of patients at the time of MIS detection was 69 years. The most common site for MIS was the head-neck region. The number of MIS cases collected exceeded the number of invasive malignant melanoma cases during the study period, with an observed ratio of 1.35:1. Limitations: For 136 patients, data were collected retrospectively for lesion size, location, gender, and age. For these patients, patient-reported change in lesion and concern about lesion were not collected. Patients often did not consent to a full body examination, therefore, it is possible that MIS lesions may have been missed in double-clothed areas. Conclusion: Careful attention to pigmented lesions, even lesions less than 4 mm, on sun-exposed areas, including scalp, trunk, and feet, will facilitate earlier diagnosis of MIS. As only 30.4% of male patients and 50% of female patients had concern about these lesions, it still falls to the dermatologist to discover MIS.
AB - Background: Studies have shown that the incidence of melanoma in situ (MIS) is increasing significantly. Objective: This study analyzes selected clinical and demographic characteristics of MIS cases observed in private dermatology practices in the United States. Methods: This study collected 257 MIS cases from 4 private dermatology practices in the United States from January 2005 through December 2009, recording age, gender, anatomic location, lesion size, patient-reported change in lesion, and concern about lesion. Case totals for invasive melanoma during the same period were recorded. Results: The data collected showed a higher incidence of MIS in sun-exposed areas of older patients, especially men. The median age of patients at the time of MIS detection was 69 years. The most common site for MIS was the head-neck region. The number of MIS cases collected exceeded the number of invasive malignant melanoma cases during the study period, with an observed ratio of 1.35:1. Limitations: For 136 patients, data were collected retrospectively for lesion size, location, gender, and age. For these patients, patient-reported change in lesion and concern about lesion were not collected. Patients often did not consent to a full body examination, therefore, it is possible that MIS lesions may have been missed in double-clothed areas. Conclusion: Careful attention to pigmented lesions, even lesions less than 4 mm, on sun-exposed areas, including scalp, trunk, and feet, will facilitate earlier diagnosis of MIS. As only 30.4% of male patients and 50% of female patients had concern about these lesions, it still falls to the dermatologist to discover MIS.
KW - early detection
KW - melanoma
KW - melanoma in situ
KW - patient concern
KW - scalp
KW - sun exposure
KW - trunk
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U2 - 10.1016/j.jaad.2011.11.949
DO - 10.1016/j.jaad.2011.11.949
M3 - Article
C2 - 22226813
AN - SCOPUS:84865037168
SN - 0190-9622
VL - 67
SP - e105-e109
JO - Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology
JF - Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology
IS - 3
ER -