Dermoscopy of melanocytic lesions in the paediatric population Book Section
| Authors: | Marino, M. L.; DeFazio, J. L.; Braun, R. P.; Marghoob, A. A.; Hoeger, P.; Kinsler, V.; Yan, A. |
| Article/Chapter Title: | Dermoscopy of melanocytic lesions in the paediatric population |
| Abstract: | This chapter addresses dermoscopic features of melanocytic lesions, both benign and malignant, in the paediatric population. While the majority of melanocytic lesions in children are benign, on rare occasions melanoma can develop and it is critical that clinicians are able to identify these malignancies while the cancer is in its early evolutionary stages. To avoid missing a melanoma, many clinicians resort to the biopsy of many naevi, with over 600 naevi being biopsied in children for every melanoma found. In an effort to improve the ability to differentiate naevi from melanoma, clinicians can use technologies such as dermoscopy. It has been shown that dermoscopy improves the clinician's diagnostic accuracy, helps detect melanomas at an earlier stage, and correctly identifies banal naevi, preventing the biopsy of many of these lesions. To adequately use and interpret the dermoscopic findings to know when to biopsy and when it is safe to monitor a lesion does require training. In this chapter, we highlight the salient features seen with dermoscopy that are important in differentiating certain naevi from melanoma. The two-step dermoscopy algorithm and dermoscopic features of congenital melanocytic naevi, acquired naevi, halo naevi, Spitz naevi and melanoma are reviewed. When evaluating melanocytic lesions in children, it is also important to remember that as opposed to the adult population, the process of naevogenesis in children is more dynamic, with new naevi forming, evolving/growing and involuting. In this chapter, we will also describe the dermoscopic features of normal evolving melanocytic naevi. While melanomas in children can have morphological features associated with superficial spreading melanoma, many have features associated with nodular and amelanotic melanomas. The clinical and dermoscopic features of paediatric melanoma are reviewed. In summary, this chapter provides a framework for the dermoscopic evaluation of melanocytic lesions in children. © 2020 John Wiley & Sons Ltd. |
| Keywords: | melanoma; dermoscopy; congenital melanocytic naevi; acquired naevi; evolving naevi; halo naevi; paediatric population; spitz naevi; two-step algorithm |
| Book Title: | Harper's Textbook of Pediatric Dermatology. 4th ed |
| Volume: | 1-2 |
| ISBN: | 978-111914281-2 |
| Publisher: | John Wiley & Sons |
| Publication Place: | Hoboken, NJ |
| Date Published: | 2020-01-01 |
| Start Page: | 2357 |
| End Page: | 2377 |
| Language: | English |
| DOI: | 10.1002/9781119142812.ch175 |
| PROVIDER: | scopus |
| DOI/URL: | |
| Notes: | Book chapter: 175 -- Source: Scopus |
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