Recurrence Rate of Small Melanoma In Situ on Low-Risk Sites Excised With 5-mm Excisional Margin.

Importance: The incidence of melanoma in situ (MIS) has increased significantly over the past decades, and traditional guidelines for treatment of MIS have been excision with a 5-mm clinical margin; however, current Australian and other guidelines now recommend 5- to 10-mm margins. This changed recommendation was largely driven by the outcomes of studies using Mohs micrographic surgery, and recent studies using Mohs micrographic surgery are advocating for even wider excisions up to 18 mm for clearance.

Objective: To assess the rate of recurrence of MIS excised with a 5-mm margin.

Melanoma diagnosis at a specialist dermatology practice without the use of photographic surveillance.

Background/objective: Photographic aides are increasingly used in melanoma surveillance. We report melanoma characteristics detected using traditional surveillance without photographic technologies.

Methods: Retrospective study of melanomas diagnosed by three dermatologists at a private dermatology practice over 7 years.

Cross-sectional study of pigmented lesions of the head and neck in adults aged 40 years and above.

The diagnosis of junctional and lentiginous naevi on sun-damaged skin of the head and neck in adults has been questioned in the literature, with the implication that these lesions should be classified as melanoma in situ. This could result in the overdiagnosis and overtreatment of non-malignant lesions. We conducted a cross-sectional study of the histopathological diagnosis of pigmented lesions biopsied from the head and neck of adults ≥40 years of age that were submitted to a large, Queensland-based pathology centre over seven months.

Germline and somatic albinism variants in amelanotic/hypomelanotic melanoma: Increased carriage of TYR and OCA2 variants.

Amelanotic/hypomelanotic melanoma is a clinicopathologic subtype with absent or minimal melanin. This study assessed previously reported coding variants in albinism genes (TYR, OCA2, TYRP1, SLC45A2, SLC24A5, LRMDA) and common intronic, regulatory variants of OCA2 in individuals with amelanotic/hypomelanotic melanoma, pigmented melanoma cases and controls. Exome sequencing was available for 28 individuals with amelanotic/hypomelanotic melanoma and 303 individuals with pigmented melanoma, which were compared to whole exome data from 1144 Australian controls.

Cluster of pregnancy-associated melanoma: A case report and brief update.

Melanoma incidence is increasing globally with Australia having the highest incidence in the world. Pregnancy-associated melanoma is recognized in the published work; however, significant knowledge deficiencies exist. We present the case of a 34-year-old woman with dysplastic nevus syndrome who over a 15-year period developed a total of nine melanomas, with eight clustered around an 18-month peri- to post-partum period.

Keratinocyte cancer with incidental perineural invasion: A registry analysis of management and 5-year outcomes.

Background/objectives: Perineural invasion within keratinocyte cancer is a hallmark of tumour aggression, and a definitive treatment paradigm for this condition remains undetermined. Our aim was to investigate the treatment and outcomes of keratinocyte cancer with incidental perineural invasion within two skin cancer databases to refine treatment protocols.

Methods: We retrospectively assessed the Queensland Perineural Invasion Registry for surgery, histopathology, adjuvant radiotherapy and recurrence of keratinocyte cancer five years post-definitive treatment.

Prevalence of Perineural Invasion in keratinocyte cancer in the general population and among organ transplant recipients.

Background/objectives: Basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) and cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) are the most commonly encountered cancers in fair-skinned populations worldwide. Perineural invasion is associated with worse outcomes for patients with BCC or SCC. Estimates of perineural invasion prevalence range widely, likely reflecting non-representative patient samples.

The management of dysplastic naevi: a survey of Australian dermatologists.

Background/objectives: The management of dysplastic naevi based on histopathological grading is a contentious issue. Comprehensive management guidelines are lacking and the approach taken varies between clinicians. The authors sought to understand how Australian dermatologists approach the management of biopsy-proven dysplastic naevi, and the impact of grading of dysplasia upon this management.

Skin protection behaviour and sex differences in melanoma location in patients with multiple primary melanomas.

Background/objectives: Previous studies have shown that sunscreen usage, sun-protection measures and self-examination rates in patients with single primary melanomas (SPM) are similar to that in the general population. This study hypothesises that these rates would be different in a population with multiple primary melanomas (MPM). We further hypothesise that there would be a sex difference in melanoma location in patients with MPM.

High incidence of primary melanomas in an MC1R RHC homozygote/CDKN2A mutant genotype patient.

Melanoma incidence in Australia remains the highest in the world; hence understanding its causation is paramount for future therapeutic developments. Multiple primary melanomas are also common occurrences among the Australian population with identified risk factors such as personal and family history of melanoma, fair skin type, dysplastic naevus syndrome and history of significant ultraviolet exposure. The roles of both environmental and genetic factors have been elucidated in melanoma development, but the synergy of interactions between the two remains complex given the heterogeneous nature of the disease.

An Australian cohort of 210 patients with multiple invasive squamous cell carcinomas: risk factors and associated increased risk of melanoma and internal malignancies.

Background: Patients with a history of non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) have a 50% risk of developing subsequent NMSC.(13) Currently there are limited data on the association between multiple squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) and the risk of other cancers, including melanomas.

Objective: To assess the risk factors in a cohort of 210 Australians with a history of multiple invasive SCC, focusing on the association between multiple SCC and other cancers.

Management of squamous cell and basal cell carcinomas of the head and neck with perineural invasion.

Perineural invasion (PNI) occurring in non-melanoma skin cancers (NMSC) is associated with an increased risk of locoregional recurrence and reduced disease-free survival. This necessitates early and accurate diagnosis, appropriate risk-stratification and a clear management strategy. The diagnosis of PNI is based on careful clinical assessment, imaging and histopathology.

Verruciform xanthoma of the penis: a rare Australian case.

We present a case of verruciform xanthoma ((VX) of the penis in an elderly man in whom an asymptomatic papule on his foreskin was noted during a routine clinical examination. VX is a rare, benign condition with a predilection for the oral cavity and clinically presents as isolated, painless mucosal lesions with a verrucoid surface. Accurate diagnosis is important in avoiding aggressive surgical management of this relatively rare condition.

Defining incidental perineural invasion: the need for a national registry.

This article by the Perineural Invasion (PNI) Registry Group aims to clarify clinical and histopathological ambiguities surrounding PNI in non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC). PNI is reportedly present in approximately 2-6% of cases of NMSC and is associated with greater rates of morbidity and mortality. The distinction between clinical PNI and incidental PNI is somewhat unclear, especially in regard to management and prognosis.

Stress and melanoma: increasing the evidence towards a causal basis.

Melanoma is a multifactorial disease with a strong genetic component and known risk factors such as excessive ultraviolet exposure, intermittent sunburns and fair skin type. The prognosis is poor if diagnosis is delayed, in spite of recent treatment advances. Evidence is mounting that the incidence of melanoma is higher in the immunosuppressed and individuals with highly stressful occupations.

Malignant change in seborrhoeic keratoses in a region with high solar ultraviolet levels.

Regions with high solar UV levels and high skin cancer rates may experience a greater incidence of malignancy in association with seborrhoeic keratoses (SebK) than in low UV regions. Previous reports have indicated that basal cell carcinoma is the most common neoplasm with reported rates of up to 4 per cent of excised SebK. The rates of such compound lesions occurring in our practice were reviewed, indicating that Bowen's disease was the most frequently observed neoplasm with a rate of 7 per cent.