A person's risk factor for melanoma can be used to tailor self-examinations and surveillance programs, says a new study. The incidence of melanoma that occurs on the skin is increasing in predominantly European populations, and Australia's incidence is among the highest in the world.
Caroline G. Watts, M.P.H., of the University of Sydney, Australia, and coauthors examined clinical features associated with melanomas according to patient risk factors (many moles, history of previous melanoma and family history of melanoma) to improve the identification and treatment of those at higher risk.
Caroline G. Watts, M.P.H., of the University of Sydney, Australia, and coauthors examined clinical features associated with melanomas according to patient risk factors (many moles, history of previous melanoma and family history of melanoma) to improve the identification and treatment of those at higher risk.
The study included 2,727 patients with melanoma, of whom 1,052 (39 percent) were defined as higher risk because of family history, multiple primary melanomas or many moles. The most common risk factor in this group had many moles, followed by a personal history and a family history.
‘Higher-risk patients with many moles are more likely to have melanoma on the trunk, those with a family history may have melanomas on the limbs.’
Also, higher-risk patients with many moles were more likely to have melanoma on the trunk, those with a family history were more likely to have melanomas on the limbs, and those with a personal history were more likely to have melanoma on the head and neck.
Limitations of the study include risk factors based on physician recall and patient medical records. The authors also did not assess the reliability or validity of the risk factor data.
"The results of our study suggest that a person's risk factor status might be used to tailor their surveillance program in terms of starting age and education about skin self-examination or more intensive surveillance," the study concludes.
The study is published in JAMA Dermatology.
Source: Eurekalert
- << More Than 130,000 Patients Denied NHS Cancer Care on Time
- Microresonator Array to Detect Specific Pathogenic Bacteria >>
Recommended Reading
Melanoma
Melanoma is a dangerous form of skin cancer caused largely due to exposure to the sun's damaging UV rays. It commonly arises from new or pre-existing moles.
Ipilimumab Combined With Local Treatments Improve Survival for Melanoma Patients
Local peripheral treatments are not used to cure patients with malignant melanoma; rather, they are used to provide relief from symptoms caused by the melanoma.
N-Acetyl Cysteine Improves Effectiveness for Melanoma
Culturing T cells in N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) before they are infused as immunotherapy improves effectiveness and outcomes in a preclinical model of melanoma.
For Treating Advanced Melanoma, New Cancer Drug Shows Promise
Researchers report that a new drug in preliminary tests has shown promising results with very manageable side effects for treating patients with melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer.
Skin Cancer
Skin cancer is an abnormal growth of skin cells. It can develop due to a continuous exposure to sun over the years.
