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Janowska A, Oranges T, Iannone M, Romanelli M, Dini V. Seborrheic keratosis-like melanoma: a diagnostic challenge. Melanoma Res 2021; 31:407-412. [PMID: 34132226 DOI: 10.1097/cmr.0000000000000756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
This article summarizes the main epidemiologic and diagnostic features of seborrheic keratosis-like (SK-like) melanoma. We performed a review of the current literature. The real and current incidence and prevalence of SK-like melanoma are unknown. Many lesions are misdiagnosed and not excised with histopathologic confirmation, or excised without an appropriate surgical approach due to a benign clinical and dermoscopic appearance. SK-like melanoma presents both melanoma and SK features. SK-like melanoma and SK are often clinically indistinguishable even for experienced dermatologists. Clinically, it develops as a black-dark brown or light slightly elevated, papule, nodule or plaque with rapid growth and a regular or irregular shape. SK-like melanoma presents melanocytic and nonmelanocytic dermoscopic features. Irregular dark-brown dots/globules, a blue-grayish veil, streaks, irregular pigmentation or network and brown lines point to a melanoma diagnosis. Among the nonmelanocytic features, milia-like cysts and comedo-like openings have been highlighted. The association of polarized and nonpolarized dermoscopic techniques is more accurate for studying the dermoscopic features of SK-like melanoma. If the dermoscopic features are unclear, further investigations with reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) or biopsy with histologic examination are essential. SK-like melanoma is a dermatologic challenge. Careful clinical and dermoscopic evaluation favor a correct diagnosis. In unclear cases, it is important to perform a biopsy with histologic examination to confirm the correct diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Teresa Oranges
- Department of Dermatology, University of Pisa, Pisa
- Department of Pediatrics, Dermatology Unit, Meyer Children's University Hospital, Florence, Italy
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Carrera C, Segura S, Aguilera P, Scalvenzi M, Longo C, Barreiro A, Broganelli P, Cavicchini S, Llambrich A, Zaballos P, Thomas L, Malvehy J, Puig S, Zalaudek I. Dermoscopic Clues for Diagnosing Melanomas That Resemble Seborrheic Keratosis. JAMA Dermatol 2017; 153:544-551. [PMID: 28355453 DOI: 10.1001/jamadermatol.2017.0129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
Importance Melanomas that clinically mimic seborrheic keratosis (SK) can delay diagnosis and adequate treatment. However, little is known about the value of dermoscopy in recognizing these difficult-to-diagnose melanomas. Objective To describe the dermoscopic features of SK-like melanomas to understand their clinical morphology. Design, Setting, and Participants This observational retrospective study used 134 clinical and dermoscopic images of histopathologically proven melanomas in 134 patients treated in 9 skin cancer centers in Spain, France, Italy, and Austria. Without knowledge that the definite diagnosis for all the lesions was melanoma, 2 dermoscopy-trained observers evaluated the clinical descriptions and 48 dermoscopic features (including all melanocytic and nonmelanocytic criteria) of all 134 images and classified each dermoscopically as SK or not SK. The total dermoscopy score and the 7-point checklist score were assessed. Images of the lesions and patient data were collected from July 15, 2013, through July 31, 2014. Main Outcomes and Measures Frequencies of specific morphologic patterns of (clinically and dermoscopically) SK-like melanomas, patient demographics, and interobserver agreement of criteria were evaluated. Results Of the 134 cases collected from 72 men and 61 women, all of whom were white and who had a mean (SD) age of 55.6 (17.5) years, 110 (82.1%) revealed dermoscopic features suggestive of melanoma, including pigment network (74 [55.2%]), blue-white veil (72 [53.7%]), globules and dots (68 [50.7%]), pseudopods or streaks (47 [35.1%]), and blue-black sign (43 [32.3%]). The remaining 24 cases (17.9%) were considered likely SKs, even by dermoscopy. Overall, lesions showed a scaly and hyperkeratotic surface (45 [33.6%]), yellowish keratin (42 [31.3%]), comedo-like openings (41 [30.5%]), and milia-like cysts (30 [22.4%]). The entire sample achieved a mean (SD) total dermoscopy score of 4.7 (1.6) and a 7-point checklist score of 4.4 (2.3), while dermoscopically SK-like melanomas achieved a total dermoscopy score of only 4.2 (1.3) and a 7-point checklist score of 2.0 (1.9), both in the range of benignity. The most helpful criteria in correctly diagnosing SK-like melanomas were the presence of blue-white veil, pseudopods or streaks, and pigment network. Multivariate analysis found only the blue-black sign to be significantly associated with a correct diagnosis, while hyperkeratosis and fissures and ridges were independent risk markers of dermoscopically SK-like melanomas. Conclusions and Relevance Seborrheic keratosis-like melanomas can be dermoscopically challenging, but the presence of the blue-black sign, pigment network, pseudopods or streaks, and/or blue-white veil, despite the presence of other SK features, allows the correct diagnosis of most of the difficult melanoma cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Carrera
- Melanoma Unit, Department of Dermatology, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Institut d'Investigacions Biomediques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain2Centre of Biomedical Research on Rare Diseases (CIBERER), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sonia Segura
- Department of Dermatology, Hospital del Mar, Institut Hospital del Mar d'Investigacions Mèdiques, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Paula Aguilera
- Melanoma Unit, Department of Dermatology, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Institut d'Investigacions Biomediques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain2Centre of Biomedical Research on Rare Diseases (CIBERER), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Caterina Longo
- Dermatology and Skin Cancer Unit, Arcispedale Santa Maria Nuova Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Reggio Emilia, Italy6Department of Dermatology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Alicia Barreiro
- Melanoma Unit, Department of Dermatology, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Institut d'Investigacions Biomediques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Stefano Cavicchini
- Unità Operative (UO) Dermatologia Fondazione IRCCS, Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milano, Italy
| | - Alex Llambrich
- Dermatology, Hospital Son Llatzer, Palma Mallorca, Spain
| | - Pedro Zaballos
- Dermatology Department, Hospital Sant Pau i Santa Tecla, Tarragona, Spain
| | - Luc Thomas
- Department of Dermatology, Centre Hospitalier Lyon Sud, Lyon 1 University, Lyons Cancer Research Center (Pr Puisieux), Lyon, France
| | - Josep Malvehy
- Melanoma Unit, Department of Dermatology, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Institut d'Investigacions Biomediques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain2Centre of Biomedical Research on Rare Diseases (CIBERER), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Susana Puig
- Melanoma Unit, Department of Dermatology, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Institut d'Investigacions Biomediques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain2Centre of Biomedical Research on Rare Diseases (CIBERER), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Iris Zalaudek
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
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