Morphological features of naevoid melanoma: Results of a multicentre study of the International Dermoscopy Society Journal Article


Authors: Longo, C.; Piana, S.; Marghoob, A.; Cavicchini, S.; Rubegni, P.; Cota, C.; Ferrara, G.; Cesinaro, A. M.; Baade, A.; Bencini, P. L.; Mantoux, F.; Mijuskovic, Z. P.; Pizzichetta, M. A.; Stanganelli, I.; Carrera, C.; Giovene, G. L.; Ranasinghe, S.; Zalaudek, I.; Lallas, A.; Moscarella, E.; Specchio, F.; Pepe, P.; Pellacani, G.; Argenziano, G.
Article Title: Morphological features of naevoid melanoma: Results of a multicentre study of the International Dermoscopy Society
Abstract: Background Naevoid melanoma (NeM), a rare variant of melanoma, can be difficult to detect as its clinical and histopathological morphology can simulate a naevus. Objectives To describe the clinical and dermoscopic features associated with NeM. Methods Lesions with a histopathological diagnosis of NeM were collected via an e-mail request sent to all members of the International Dermoscopy Society. All lesions were histopathologically reviewed and only lesions fulfilling a set of predefined histopathological criteria were included in the study and analysed for their clinical and dermoscopic features. Results Twenty-seven of 58 cases (47%) fulfilled the predefined histopathological criteria for NeM and were included in the study. Clinically, 16 of the 27 NeMs presented as a nodular lesion (59%), eight (30%) as plaque type and three (11%) as papular. Analysis of the global dermoscopic pattern identified three types of NeM. The first were naevus-like tumours (n = 13, 48%), typified by a papillomatous surface resembling a dermal naevus. In these lesions local dermoscopic features included irregular dots/globules (46%), multiple milia-like cysts (38%) and atypical vascular structures (46%). The second type were amelanotic tumours (n = 8, 30%), typified by an atypical vascular pattern (75%). The third type consisted of tumours displaying a multicomponent pattern (n = 4, 15%), characterized by classical local melanoma-specific criteria. Two lesions (7%) were classified as mixed-pattern tumours as they did not manifest any of the aforementioned patterns. Conclusions While NeMs may be clinically difficult to differentiate from naevi, any papillomatous lesion displaying dermoscopically atypical vessels and/or irregular dots/globules should prompt consideration for the possible diagnosis of NeM. What's already known about this topic? Naevoid melanoma is a rare variant of melanoma, and can be difficult to detect as its clinical and histopathological morphology can simulate a naevus. What does this study add? This study provides new insights into the clinical and dermoscopic morphology of naevoid melanoma, facilitating its clinical recognition. © 2014 British Association of Dermatologists.
Keywords: adult; major clinical study; clinical feature; histopathology; disease classification; melanoma; skin defect; nevus; epiluminescence microscopy; skin tumor; medical society; papule; skin disease; rare disease; e-mail; human; male; female; priority journal; article; amelanotic tumor; atypical vascular structure; multiple milia like cyst; naevoid melanoma; nodular lesion; skin globule
Journal Title: British Journal of Dermatology
Volume: 172
Issue: 4
ISSN: 0007-0963
Publisher: Blackwell Publishing  
Date Published: 2015-04-01
Start Page: 961
End Page: 967
Language: English
DOI: 10.1111/bjd.13524
PROVIDER: scopus
PUBMED: 25388239
DOI/URL:
Notes: Export Date: 4 May 2015 -- Source: Scopus
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  1. Ashfaq A Marghoob
    534 Marghoob