Variegated dermoscopy of in situ melanoma.

BACKGROUND

Melanomas in situ (MIS) are difficult to diagnose, lacking well-established dermoscopic descriptors.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to improve the identification of early melanomas describing the variegated dermoscopic features of MIS and their correlation with demographic and clinical aspects.

METHODS

Dermoscopic images of 114 histologically proven MIS were evaluated by 3 expert dermoscopists and classified into their main dermoscopic patterns. Dermoscopic features were also considered for their correlation with clinical parameters.

RESULTS

Eight different dermoscopic subtypes of MIS were identified: reticular grey-blue (27.2%), reticular (21.1%), multicomponent (20.2%), island (10.5%), spitzoid (7%), inverse network (6.1%), 'net-blue globules' (5.3%) and globular (2.6%). Clinical characteristics of lesions and patients varied according to the different dermoscopic groups.

CONCLUSION

We hypothesize that the different dermoscopic subgroups of MIS correspond to lesions with a different origin and, possibly, various patterns of growth and a different biological behaviour.