Search

With the prevalence of malignant melanoma increasing gradually and the progressive westernization of the Asian lifestyle, it is important to analyze and follow up on the characteristics of malignant melanoma at regular intervals. We identified the characteristics of malignant melanoma by analyzing consecutive patients from a single medical center. We also examined the trend of malignant melanoma and prognostic factors in Asian patients. We investigated 200 consecutive patients with malignant melanoma in a single medical center between 2000 and 2022. Each patient's sex and age, tumor stage, site of the primary lesion, histological subtype, Breslow thickness, Clark level, and period of survival were collected from the historical medical records of the patients and analyzed. Survival analyses were performed using the Kaplan–Meier method to investigate the prognostic factors. The ratio of man-to-woman was 1:1.53; the most common site of the primary tumor was the lower extremity (60%), and acral lentiginous melanoma was the most common histological subtype (61%). Malignant melanoma commonly occurs in the lower extremities, primarily in the form of the lentiginous subtype. In situ melanomas are most prevalent regarding Breslow thickness, while Clark Level 4 is the most common type of malignant melanoma. Sex and Breslow thickness were significantly associated with the survival rate. However, others were not significant prognostic indicators for survival in this cohort. This study confirmed that the epidemiology of malignant melanoma in Asian patients was maintained without significant change. We also confirmed several significant prognostic indicators for survival. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Increased sun exposure and sunburns lead to higher numbers of moles as well as melanomas and non-melanoma skin cancers. Scientists are unsure whether there is a difference between being in the sun very often (chronic sun damage) and being in the sun for too long at certain times (intermittent exposure) in terms of the individual melanoma risk. In this study, we used light microscopy to look at typical connective tissue changes in the skin that occur with long-term sun exposure. We analyzed whether these changes are correlated with different subtypes of melanomas and whether they are associated with sun-exposed body sites (chronic exposure) and shaded body sites (intermittent exposure). Our results show that tissue changes near moles and melanomas as well as subtypes of melanomas vary, regardless of patient age and tumor site. This finding is important because it sheds light on the biological effects of sunlight on pigment cells, which are the source of moles and melanomas. Moreover, it emphasizes the need to more clearly differentiate among the subtypes of melanomas. (1) Background: Ultraviolet (UV) radiation and sunburns are associated with an increased incidence of acquired nevi and melanomas. However, the data are controversial as to whether chronic UV exposure or high intermittent UV exposure is the major carcinogenic factor in melanocytic tumors. In this study, we compared the degree of actinic elastosis (AE) as a surrogate for lifetime UV exposure in nevi and different clinical melanoma subtypes (i.e., superficial spreading melanoma (SSM), nodular malignant melanoma (NMM), acral lentiginous melanoma (ALM), and lentigo maligna melanoma (LMM)) with respect to clinical variables (age, sex, and body site). (2) Methods: We defined a semi-quantitative score for the degree of AE ranging from 0 = none to 3 = total loss of elastic fibers (basophilic degeneration) and multiplied it by the perilesional vertical extent (depth), measured histometrically (tumor-associated elastosis grade (TEG)). We matched the TEG of n = 595 melanocytic lesions from 559 patients with their clinical variables. (3) Results: The TEG was correlated with age and UV-exposed body sites. Furthermore, the TEG was significantly higher in LMM than in all other types of melanomas and the TEG in NMM was higher than in SSM, irrespective of patient age and tumor site. (4) Conclusions: High cumulative UV exposure is more strongly associated with LMM and NMM than with other melanoma subtypes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The incidence of melanoma in situ has increased faster than invasive melanoma over the last decades. Correctly managing these lesions is crucial. The gold standard of treatment for MIS, including lentigo maligna (LM), is complete surgical excision with clear margins (>0.5–1 cm). However, surgery is not always possible, as MIS often affects elderly patients with comorbidities and contraindications for surgical procedures or involves large lesions in functionally sensitive areas. Alternative non-surgical treatments are needed for these cases, which include radiotherapy, cryosurgery, immunotherapy, laser therapy, and other topical medications. This study aims to review the published literature on the applications of immunotherapy in MIS, either in monotherapy or in combination with other therapeutic alternatives. The incidence of in situ melanoma (MIS) has increased over the last decades. The mainstay of treatment for MIS, including lentigo maligna (LM), is complete surgical excision with clear margins (0.5 to 1.0 cm). Nevertheless, MIS lesions often affect elderly patients with comorbidities and involve large lesions in cosmetically sensitive areas, which means surgery is not always appropriate. Non-surgical treatments have a role in these cases, and include radiotherapy, cryosurgery, immunotherapy, laser therapy, and other topical medications. This study aims to review the applications of immunotherapy in MIS, either in monotherapy or in combination with other therapeutic alternatives. The main forms of immunotherapy used are imiquimod and, to a lesser extent, intralesional interferon-α (IL-INF-α) and ingenol mebutate (IM). IL-INF-α and IM have not been studied as extensively as imiquimod, whose results in real-life practice are encouraging. The clearance and recurrence rates reported in MIS treated with imiquimod as monotherapy, or as an adjuvant after surgery with affected or narrow margins, make imiquimod a reliable therapeutic alternative in selected cases. Also, its use as a neoadjuvant therapy before surgery was shown to reduce the final surgical defect size required to confirm negative histologic margins. In conclusion, local immunotherapy is frequently used in clinical practice and experience confirms it to be an excellent option for certain patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lentigo maligna (LM) is a melanocytic neoplasm that occurs on chronically sun-exposed skin commonly affectingmiddle-aged and elderly patients, which can progress to LM melanoma if left untreated or misdiagnosed. LM can be confused with other dermatologic conditions such as pigmented actinic keratosis, solar lentigo, and seborrheic keratosis. Therefore, clinicians should know the various clinical features that can distinguish LM from other differential diagnoses. Although multiple treatment modalities exist for LM, surgical excision remains the gold standard for the treatment of LM and results in an excellent prognosis for treated patients. This article discusses the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of LM so that dermatology nurses are better prepared to care for patients with LM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BackgroundThe role of Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) in the treatment of lentigo maligna (LM), and lentigo maligna melanoma (LMM) has been controversial. The use of frozen sections is commonly cited as a suboptimal way to distinguish atypical melanocytes, resulting in traditional wide-local excision techniques as the mainstay of therapy.ObjectiveTo compare the success of MMS as a treatment option for LM and LMM with that of traditional surgical and nonsurgical therapies by analyzing the published recurrence rates of these lesions after MMS procedures.Methods and materialsPubMed database was used to find relevant articles with search terms related to MMS, LM, and LMM.ResultsThe search strategy resulted in 27 articles that fulfilled the inclusion criteria. All studies considered; MMS provided a 1.35% recurrence rate with follow-up times ranging from 1 month to 5 years. Specifically, studies employing classical MMS and MMS with rush sections provided recurrence rates of 1.17% and 2.4%, respectively.ConclusionMMS is one of the most successful treatment options for LM and LMM, with published evidence of improved recurrence rates when compared to other forms of therapy. Additional clinical trials are needed to further delineate the role of MMS in the treatment algorithm for these conditions.

Keywords: anatomic location; clinical presentation; diagnosis; Hutchinson's melanotic freckle; melanoma EN anatomic location clinical presentation diagnosis Hutchinson's melanotic freckle melanoma e277 e280 4 08/14/23 20230801 NES 230801 Acknowledgement Open access publishing facilitated by The University of Melbourne, as part of the Wiley - The University of Melbourne agreement via the Council of Australian University Librarians. Laterality was not assessed and mucosal, ocular as well as genital melanomas were excluded (shaded in grey). gl In addition to providing high-resolution information regarding the anatomical distribution of lentiginous melanomas, our findings highlight differences according to sex. [Extracted from the article]

Simple Summary: Despite recent advances in immunotherapy, melanoma remains the deadliest cutaneous malignancy. Immunocompromised patients are at heightened risk of developing melanoma and experience greater levels of morbidity and mortality compared to their non-immunocompromised peers with the disease. We sought to characterize immunocompromised patients with melanoma at our institution in terms of histopathologic parameters, trends in survival analysis, and comparison to the general population using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. Analysis of our transplant sub-cohort revealed an overall melanoma standardized incidence ratio of 1.53, though variation was seen based on transplant type, sex, and time since transplantation. Our study reveals important trends in disease among immunocompromised patients with melanoma at an academic tertiary-care center and is valuable for clinicians caring for this unique demographic of patients. Background: Malignant melanoma is the leading cause of death due to cutaneous malignancy. Immunocompromised individuals have an elevated risk of developing melanoma. We aimed to provide histopathologic and statistical characterization of melanoma development in immunocompromised patients. Methods: We reviewed our institution's databases to identify all patients with a confirmed history of immunosuppression who subsequently developed melanoma, focusing on diagnoses during the follow-up period of 2011–2019. A total of 93 patients with a combined 111 melanoma lesions were identified. Results: Common causes of immunosuppression included transplantation and lymphoproliferative disorders. Superficial spreading and lentigo malignant melanoma were the most common malignant melanoma subtypes. Median Breslow depth was 0.7 mm, and the most common primary tumor stage was T1a. Our transplant sub-cohort had an overall melanoma incidence of 0.9 per 1000 person-years (95% CI 0.66 to 1.20) and a standardized incidence ratio (SIR) of 1.53 (95% CI 1.12 to 2.04) relative to a general population cohort from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program (SEER). Conclusions: We report histopathologic characteristics of immunocompromised patients developing melanoma at a large academic tertiary-care center. Differences in age, sex, time since transplantation, and transplant type may play a significant role in melanoma SIR in this patient demographic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: This study evaluates the occurrence of second primary neoplasms (SPNs) in individuals with a history of melanoma (MM) and identify factors that increase the risk in our population. A prospective cohort study was conducted, involving 529 MM survivors from January 2005 to August 2021. Among the 529 patients, 89 were diagnosed with SPNs, with 62 being skin tumors and 37 being solid organ tumors. The estimated probability of developing SPNs after MM diagnosis was found to increase over time, reaching 4.1% at 1 year, 11% at 5 years, and 19% at 10 years. Several factors were significantly associated with a higher risk of SPNs, including older age, primary MM location on the face or neck, and the histologic subtype of lentigo maligna MM. We conclude that individuals with primary MM located on the face and neck, as well as those with the histological subtype of lentigo maligna-MM, have a higher risk of developing SPNs. Age also independently influences the risk. Understanding these risk factors can assist in developing MM guidelines that provide specific follow-up recommendations for individuals at the highest risk. (1) Introduction: The association between melanoma (MM) and the occurrence of second primary neoplasms (SPNs) has been extensively studied, with reported incidence rates ranging from 1.5% to 20%. This study aims to evaluate the occurrence of SPNs in patients with a history of primary MM and to describe the factors that make the risk higher in our population. (2) Material and Methods: We conducted a prospective cohort study and calculated the incidence rates and relative risks (RR) for the development of different SPNs in 529 MM survivors from 1 January 2005 to 1 August 2021. Survival and mortality rates were obtained, and the Cox proportional hazards model was used to determine the demographic and MM-related factors that influence the overall risk. (3) Results: Among the 529 patients included, 89 were diagnosed with SPNs (29 prior to MM diagnosis, 11 synchronous, and 49 after MM), resulting in 62 skin tumors and 37 solid organ tumors. The estimated probability of developing SPNs after MM diagnosis was 4.1% at 1 year, 11% at 5 years, and 19% at 10 years. Older age, primary MM location on the face or neck, and histologic subtype of lentigo maligna mm were significantly associated with a higher risk of SPNs. (4) Conclusions: In our population, the risk of developing SPNs was higher in patients with primary MM located on the face and neck and with the histological subtype of lentigo maligna-MM. Age also independently influences the risk. Understanding these hazard factors can aid in the development of MM guidelines with specific follow-up recommendations for individuals with the highest risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The study aimed to investigate the long-term efficacy of imiquimod 5% cream for lentigo maligna, with a focus on disease recurrence and the possible prognostic factors of disease-free survival. If surgical excision is not possible due to the patients' age/comorbidities or critical cosmetic localization, imiquimod provides promising outcomes with an optimal risk of relapse for the management of LM. Background: The study investigated the long-term efficacy of imiquimod 5% cream for LM, with a focus on disease recurrence and the possible prognostic factors of disease-free survival (DFS) in a cohort, with long-term follow-up. Methods: Consecutive patients with histologically confirmed LM were included. Imiquimod 5% cream was applied until weeping erosion appeared on the LM-affected skin. The evaluation was performed through clinical examination and dermoscopy. Results: We analyzed 111 patients with LM (median age: 72 years, 61.3% women) with tumor clearance after imiquimod therapy, with a median follow-up of 8 years. The overall patient survival rates were 85.5% (95% confidence interval (CI): 78.5–92.6) and 70.4% (95% CI: 60.3–80.5) at 5 and 10 years, respectively. Among the 23 patients (20.1%) with relapse at follow-up, 17 (73.9%) were treated with surgery, five (21.7%) continued imiquimod therapy, and one (4.3%) underwent both surgery and radiotherapy. After adjustment for age and LM area in multivariable models, localization of LM in the nasal region was identified as a prognostic factor for DFS (HR = 2.66; 95% CI: 1.06–6.64). Conclusion: If surgical excision is not possible due to the patients' age/comorbidities or critical cosmetic localization, imiquimod could provide optimal outcomes with an optimal risk of relapse for the management of LM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate MR features and clinical course of malignant melanotic nerve sheath tumor (MMNST), previously known as melanotic schwannoma and considered indolent and rarely metastasizing. Materials and methods: This IRB-approved retrospective study searched 31 patients (20 male: 11 female, mean age 48; range 15–76) with histologically confirmed MMNST in a single tertiary cancer center over 22 years. Pre-treatment MR was available in 12 patients and evaluated by two radiologists in consensus regarding lesion location, size, morphology, signal characteristics, contrast enhancement, local invasion, and presence of classic signs of peripheral nerve sheath tumors. Clinical outcomes, including local recurrence, metastasis, and survival, were examined in 12 patients for whom follow-up was available. Results: The spine was the most frequent site (13/31) among all identified cases. In 12 cases with MR, lesions were well-circumscribed in 11/12 cases, with a mean size of 4.5 cm (2.3–13.0 cm). Ten of 12 cases showed T1 hyperintensity. In 5/9 spinal MRI, tumor involved multiple levels. All lesions showed contrast enhancement, and local bone invasion in > 50%. A dumb-bell shape was common to all spinal lesions. Classical signs of nerve sheath tumors were uncommon. Among 12 patients with a mean follow-up of 4.8 years (range 1.3–10.2 years), six were disease-free, while two had recurrence or metastases, and four had died of metastases. Conclusion: MMNST usually presents as a T1 hyperintense enhancing dumb-bell shaped mass in the spine. Multi-level involvement and bone invasion are common. MMNST is clinically aggressive with high rates of metastases and death. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Studies have shown that the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) death is significantly increased in older (65 or older) malignant melanoma (MM) patients. Proportion of death, standardized mortality ratio (SMR) and cumulative mortality were used to compare the differences in mortality between MM and CVD in older MM patients. Our study revealed older MM patients died from diseases other than primary cancer, and CVD was the leading cause. MM patients had a 1.98-fold higher risk of CVD death than the general population, which signals the importance of prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease in patients with MM. Noncancer deaths account for a large proportion of deaths in patients with malignant melanoma (MM), but the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) death in older MM patients remains unclear. This study aimed to estimate the risk of CVD death in older MM patients. Data on older MM patients were obtained in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database. Risk of CVD death was calculated by standardized mortality rates (SMRs), cumulative mortality and proportion of different causes of death. MM patients had a higher risk of CVD death than general populations (SMR = 1.98; 95% CI 1.93–2.03, p < 0.001). CVD death was more common in MM patients who were diagnosed at age 85 or older, had a localized stage, were white, had surgical treatment, had a primary head/neck/upper limb site and had a low-grade and superficial spreading/lentigo malignant pathologic type. Cumulative CVD mortality was more common than primary cancer in all older age groups, male or female, and patients with localized-stage disease. Other than primary cancer, CVD was the main cause of death in older patients diagnosed with MM. Our findings highlight CVD death is an important competing event of deaths in older MM patients, and more attention should be paid to reducing CVD death to improve survival. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lentigo maligna melanoma (LMM) is an invasive melanoma most commonly occurring on the head and neck. The diagnosis is aided by specific dermoscopic criteria and confirmed by biopsy. The treatment of LMM is surgical excision. There are alternative therapies for its precursor lesion lentigo maligna (LM, also known as Hutchinson's melanotic freckle) - melanoma in situ, and they include the application of topical 5% imiquimod cream. Our patient had a 7 x 4 cm lesion with dermoscopic features of both LM and LMM. The diagnosis was confirmed by pathohistological examination of the incisional biopsy. The patient, concerned about the aesthetic outcome, refused surgical treatment and was treated by 5% imiquimod cream. Dermoscopy aided the clinical diagnosis, it allowed for a non-invasive follow-up and tailoring of the treatment in order to attain satisfactory results - evanescence of dermoscopic features suggestive of LM and LMM and an aesthetically acceptable outcome after treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lentigo maligna (LM) is a common in situ melanoma subtype arising on chronically sun‐damaged skin and mostly affects the head and neck region. Localisation in cosmetically sensitive areas, difficulty to obtain wide resection margins and advanced patient age/comorbidities have encouraged investigation of less invasive therapeutic strategies than surgery in managing complex cases of LM. Radiotherapy and imiquimod have emerged as alternative treatment options in this context. The treatment of LM with imiquimod cream can be challenging due to the nature of the disease including its often large size, variegated appearance, involvement of adnexal structures, poorly defined peripheral edge and frequent localisation close to sensitive structures such as the eyes and lips, and elderly patients with multiple comorbidities. Prolonged and unpredictable inflammatory reaction and side effects and compliance with a patient‐delivered therapy can also be challenging. In the literature to date, studies evaluating the use of imiquimod to treat LM have utilised varying methodologies and provided short follow‐up and these limitations have impaired the development of clear guidelines for dosage and management of side effects. Based on our multidisciplinary experience and review of the literature, we propose practical clinical strategies for the use of imiquimod for treating LM, detailing optimal administration procedures in various clinical scenarios and long‐term management, with the aim of facilitating optimal patient outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Lentigo maligna (LM), a subtype of melanoma in-situ commonly occurring in the head and neck region, often presents a treatment challenge due to anatomical constraints, particularly on the face of mostly elderly patients. This study sought to assess the clinical outcomes of wide local excision of head and neck LM, identify predictors of recurrence and define optimal excision margins. Materials and Methods: Patients with LM treated between January 1997 and December 2012 were identified from the large institutional database of a tertiary center and their data were analyzed. Results: In 379 patients, 382 lesions were eligible for analysis. Median maximal lesion diameter was 10.5 mm. The mean surgical excision and histopathological clearance margins were 6.2 mm and 4.0 mm, respectively. Median follow-up was 32 months. The LM recurrence rate was 9.9%, and subsequent invasive melanoma developed in 2.3% of cases (mean Breslow thickness 0.7 mm). The recurrence rate was 27.2% if the histological margin was <3.0 mm (median time to recurrence 46.5 months) compared with 2.6% if the margin was ≥3.0 mm. The mean surgical margin required to achieve a histological clearance of ≥3.0 mm was 6.5 mm. Conclusions: Our data suggest that to minimize recurrence, a histological margin of ≥3.0 mm is required. To achieve this, a surgical margin of ≥6.5 mm was required. This is greater than the 5 mm margin recommended in some national guidelines. Careful long-term follow-up is required for all patients because of the risk of recurrence. • Ideal excision margins for lentigo maligna, a common precursor lesion to invasive melanoma, are unclear. • This retrospective study suggests that histological margins ≥3.0 mm minimize recurrence risk. • The mean surgical margin corresponding to this histological margin is ≥ 6.5 mm [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nevus-associated lentigo maligna and lentigo maligna melanoma (NALMM) are rarely described in the literature and are considered an incidental finding. This study aimed to evaluate the frequency of NALMM and its clinicopathological features. A total of 201 histopathology reports were reviewed and among them 20% of the samples corresponded to NALMM, with females overrepresented in this group (p = 0.02). A significant association was also observed between NALMM with the presence of multiple nevi (p = 0.01), and dysplastic nevi (p = 0.04). Moreover, the risk of developing a second melanoma of nevus-associated type was 4.3 times higher in patients with NALMM. These results indicate that NALMM is more frequent than previously reported, suggesting that the associated nevus could interact or even act as a precursor for LM/LMM. Future studies with larger samples allied to techniques like confocal microscopy and molecular analysis are essential to determine this biological link between nevus and LM/LMM.

Lentigo maligna (LM) is the most common subtype of in situ melanoma und occurs frequently in the sun-exposed head and neck region in elderly patients. The therapeutic "gold standard" is surgical excision, as there is the risk of progression to invasive (lentigo maligna) melanoma (LMM). However, surgery is not feasible in certain patients due to age, comorbidities or patient preference. Radiotherapy using Grenz rays or superficial X-rays has been established as non-invasive alternative for the treatment of LM and LMM. We performed a systematic literature search of MEDLINE and Embase databases in September 2019 and identified 14 patient series using radiotherapy for LM or LMM. No prospective trials were found. The 14 studies reported a total of 1243 lesions (1075 LM and 168 LMM) treated with radiotherapy. Local recurrence rates ranged from 0 to 31% and were comparable to surgical series in most of the reports on radiotherapy. Superficial radiotherapy was prescribed in 5-23 fractions with a total dose of 35-57 Gy. Grenz ray therapy was prescribed in 42-160 Gy in 3-13 fractions with single doses up to 20 Gy. Cosmetic results were reported as "good" to "excellent" for the majority of patients.In conclusion, the available low-level evidence suggests that radiotherapy may be a safe and effective treatment for LM and LMM. Data from prospective trials such as the phase 3 RADICAL trial are needed to confirm these promising findings and to compare radiotherapy to other non-surgical therapies and to surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Lentigo maligna (LM) is a subtype of melanoma in situ that usually occurs in sun-damaged skin and is characterised by an atypical proliferation of melanocytes within the basal epidermis. If left untreated, LM can develop into invasive melanoma, termed lentigo maligna melanoma, which shares the same prognosis as other types of invasive melanoma. The incidence rates of LM are steadily increasing worldwide, in parallel with increases in the incidence rates of invasive melanoma, and establishing appropriate guidelines for the management of LM is therefore of great importance.Methods: A multidisciplinary working party established by Cancer Council Australia has recently produced up-to-date, evidence-based clinical practice guidelines for the management of melanoma and LM. Following selection of the most relevant clinical questions, a comprehensive literature search for relevant studies was conducted, followed by systematic review of these studies. Data were summarised and the evidence was assessed, leading to the development of recommendations. After public consultation and approval by the full guidelines working party, these recommendations were published on the Cancer Council Australia wiki platform (https://wiki.cancer.org.au/australia/Clinical_question:Effective_interventions_to_improve_outcomes_in_lentigo_maligna%3F). Main Recommendations: Surgical removal of LM remains the standard treatment, with 5- to 10-mm clinical margins when possible. While yet to be fully validated, the use of peri-operative reflectance confocal microscopy to assess margins should be considered where available. There is a lack of high-quality evidence to infer the most effective non-surgical treatment. When surgical removal of LM is not possible or refused, radiotherapy is recommended. When both surgery and radiotherapy are not appropriate or refused, topical imiquimod is the recommended treatment. Cryotherapy and laser therapy are not recommended for the treatment of LM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: More epidemiological data about lentigo maligna melanoma (LMM) are required to define follow-up guidelines. The study focused on recurrence, progression, and overall survival of LMM managed with primary wide local excision.Methods: In a 23-year retrospective study (1994 to 2016), a cohort of patients with LMM was evaluated by collecting data about the tumor location, the Breslow depth, the presence of ulceration, and patients' age and sex. Local recurrences, locoregional and distant metastases, and disease-free and overall survival were additionally assessed.Results: Overall, 150 cases (84 male, 66 female, mean age 71.3 ± 11.3 years) of single, localized, primary LMM with a mean follow-up of 6.6 ± 4.4 years were included. A total of 33 (22.2%) patients underwent sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) during surgical excision. However, positive SLNB was detected in none of them. The multivariable Cox analysis indicated that age of diagnosis and male gender significantly influenced the overall survival, while a shorter disease-free survival could be correlated with a greater Breslow thickness. The metastatic potential turned out to be low, entailing 7 deaths in the context of the LMM.Conclusion: Male gender, age over 70 at diagnosis, and a Breslow thickness greater than 0.75 mm were associated with a statistically significant decrease in overall disease-free survival in the current study. The results of the study confirm the favorable outcome of LMM. However, diagnosed patients should undertake regular follow-ups. The intensity of follow-up in these patients can be individualized based on the probability of recurrence/metastasis and overall survival. Furthermore, the study showed that SLNB might not be a necessary staging procedure in patients with LMM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Due to the importance of function and cosmetics, periocular skin malignancies represent a therapeutic challenge.Objective: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of radiotherapy (RT) treating periocular skin tumors.Methods: Data of patients with periocular tumors treated with grenz or soft X-rays at the University Hospital Zurich, Switzerland, between 2009 and 2014 were reviewed. Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) with associated in situ lesions, cutaneous melanoma, lentigo maligna (LM), cutaneous lymphoma and Kaposi's sarcoma were included in the analysis.Results: We found 159 periocular lesions in 145 patients. Overall recurrence was highest for actinic keratosis and Bowen's disease (27%), melanoma (17%) and LM (15%), whereas SCC and BCC showed recurrence in 11 and 10%, respectively. 45% of all recurrences occurred within 12 months after treatment, with a median time to recurrence of 13 months (range 3-73).Conclusion: RT, which provides a good therapeutic response with minimal adverse events, is a therapy option for periocular cutaneous malignancies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) is a noninvasive technique that provides real-time in vivo images of the epidermal layer. Imiquimod has been recommended as an alternative treatment in lentigo maligna (LM) when surgical excision is not the treatment of choice. In the present study we compare the results of in vivo RCM to the histopathological examination before and after treatment of LM with topical imiquimod.Methods: Thirty-four patients with confirmed LM were included. Imiquimod 5% was applied until a weeping erosion appeared in the LM-affected skin. Evaluation was performed by clinical examination, dermatoscopy, histopathology and RCM.Results: During the follow-up, 27 of 34 patients (79.42%) demonstrated a total tumor clearance by imiquimod treatment. In the treated area, a significant decrease of atypical cells was detected using RCM (p < 0.0001). Furthermore, a significant positive correlation in the detected atypical cells was shown using confocal microscopy and histology (p = 0.0001, r = 0.7335, respectively).Conclusion: In patients not suitable for surgical intervention imiquimod treatment is an appropriate treatment alternative. Thereby, in vivo RCM was demonstrated to be an excellent examining device, which not only allows diagnosis of LM, but also therapy and follow-up examinations. An important benefit of RCM, in contrast to conventional histopathology, is the simple handling with in vivo examination of epidermal skin without any pain for the patient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Malignant melanoma is a malignant neoplasm of the skin and mucosal tissues, and its behavior is not predictable. Thus, it could metastasize via mysterious routes. Here, we report a rare case of acute abdomen and acute appendicitis which involved metastatic malignant melanoma in a 63-year-old man without a history of previously treated malignant melanoma. Keywords: Appendicitis, Malignant melanoma, Metastasis [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a case study of a 46 years old man presented to a multidisciplinary team with history of a lentigo maligna on the right ear lobe. Topics include considered that patient was well, with no melanoma risk factors other than solar damage and the consensus of the multidisciplinary team was that optimal management would be further excision.

Abstract: Lentigo maligna has an extensive and neoplastic character. It typically progresses slowly and may eventually develop into an invasive melanoma, which is called lentigo maligna melanoma. Ocular melanoma is the second most common type of melanoma. The uvea is the most common site of origin of ocular melanomas, while conjunctival melanoma accounts for about 1-5% of cases. In this article, we describe a rare case of synchronic conjunctival melanoma and lentigo maligna on the face.