Practitioner characteristics, diagnostic accuracy metrics and discovering-individual with respect to 637 melanomas documented by 27 general practitioners on the Skin Cancer Audit Research Database.

Background And Objective: Knowledge of accuracy for melanoma diagnosis and melanoma discovering-individual in primary care is limited. We describe general practitioner (GP) characteristics and analyse defined diagnostic accuracy metrics for GPs in the current study comparing this with a previous study for GPs common to both, and we analyse the individual first discovering each melanoma as a lesion of concern.

Methods: The characteristics and diagnostic accuracy of 27 Australasian GPs documenting 637 melanomas on the Skin Cancer Audit Research Database (SCARD) in 2013 were described and analysed.

Development of melanoma clinical quality indicators for the Australian melanoma clinical outcomes registry (MelCOR): A modified Delphi study.

Background: Clinical quality registries aim to identify significant variations in care and provide anonymised feedback to institutions to improve patient outcomes. Thirty-six Australian organisations with an interest in melanoma, raised funds through three consecutive Melanoma Marches, organised by Melanoma Institute Australia, to create a national Melanoma Clinical Outcomes Registry (MelCOR). This study aimed to formally develop valid clinical quality indicators for the diagnosis and early management of cutaneous melanoma as an important step in creating the registry.

Characteristics, treatment and outcomes of 589 melanoma patients documented by 27 general practitioners on the Skin Cancer Audit Research Database.

Background And Objective: General practitioners manage more melanomas than dermatologists or surgeons in Australia. Previously undescribed, the management and outcomes of melanoma patients treated by multiple Australasian general practitioners are examined.

Methods: The characteristics, management and outcomes of 589 melanoma patients, managed by 27 Australasian general practitioners and documented on the Skin Cancer Audit Research Database (SCARD), were analysed.

Characteristics of 637 melanomas documented by 27 general practitioners on the Skin Cancer Audit Research Database.

Background And Objective: Most melanomas (including melanomas in situ), in Australasia, are treated by general practitioners (GPs). Previously undescribed, the characteristics of a series of melanomas treated by multiple GPs are examined.

Patients And Methods: Six hundred and thirty-seven melanomas treated by 27 Australasian GPs during 2013 and documented on the Skin Cancer Audit Research Database (SCARD) were analysed by anatomical site, subtype, Breslow thickness, diameter, associated naevi and linked adverse outcomes.

Diagnosis and management of cutaneous melanoma.

Background: In the field of melanoma, clinical trials evaluating the impact of sentinel node biopsy, completion lymph node dissection and adjuvant medical therapies on patient outcomes have provided evidence that has changed practice significantly over the past five years.

Objective: The aim of this article is to discuss key evidence that has informed new Cancer Council Australia melanoma management guidelines.

Discussion: General practitioners play a critical role in melanoma diagnosis and follow-up.

Improving diagnostic accuracy for suspicious melanocytic skin lesions: New Australian melanoma clinical practice guidelines stress the importance of clinician/pathologist communication.

Background: Incorrect or delayed diagnosis of melanoma may lead to inappropriate treatment, poor clinical outcomes, increased cost and medicolegal consequences. The provision of pertinent clinical information is essential for accurate pathological diagnosis of cutaneous melanocytic tumours. Failure to provide this information may contribute to poor outcomes.

Methods of melanoma detection and of skin monitoring for individuals at high risk of melanoma: new Australian clinical practice.

Introduction: The evidence-based national clinical practice guidelines for the management of cutaneous melanoma published in 2008 are currently being updated. This article summarises the findings from multiple chapters of the guidelines on different methods of melanoma detection and of monitoring the skin for patients at high risk of melanoma. Early detection of melanoma is critical, as thinner tumours are associated with enhanced survival; therefore, strategies to improve early detection are important to reduce melanoma-related mortality.

Infiltrating basal cell carcinoma: a stellate peri-tumor dermatoscopy pattern as a clue to diagnosis.

Background: Infiltrating basal cell carcinoma (BCC) has associated features that may be readily identified using dermatoscopy.

Objective: Investigate a stellate dermatoscopy pattern extending from the peripheral margin of infiltrating BCC.

Methods: A total of 741 consecutive cases of BCC were assessed retrospectively using non-polarized dermatoscopy.