Stefania Borsari

Quantitative evaluation of healthy epidermis by means of multiphoton microscopy and fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy.

Background/purpose: Multiphoton microscopy (MPM) enables the assessment of unstained living biological tissue with submicron resolution, whereas fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) generates image contrast between different states of tissue characterized by various fluorescence decay rates. The aim of this study was to compare the healthy skin of young individuals with that of older subjects, as well as to assess the skin at different body sites, by means of MPM and FLIM.

Dermoscopic Island: A New Descriptor for Thin Melanoma

OBJECTIVES To determine the frequency and the features of the dermoscopic island (DI) in melanocytic lesions and to assess its specificity for the diagnosis of melanoma. Dermoscopy improves the diagnostic accuracy of melanoma, but only a few dermoscopic descriptors specific for thin melanomas have been identified. We defined a new descriptor, the dermoscopic island, a well-circumscribed area showing a uniform dermoscopic pattern that differs from the rest of the pigmented lesion. DESIGN Dermoscopic images of 96 in situ melanomas, 266 invasive melanomas, and 612 dermoscopic atypical nevi were evaluated to establish the presence and the main pattern of the DI. Also, clinical and histologic characteristics were analyzed. SETTING Dermoscopic images were collected from lesions excised between 2003 and 2008 at the Department of Dermatology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Specificity and odds ratio for melanoma; dermoscopic and histologic characteristics of lesions with a DI. RESULTS The DI was present in 10.4% of in situ melanomas, 4.1% of invasive melanomas, and 3.1% of dermoscopic atypical nevi. The odds ratio for melanoma was 1.922, and specificity was 96.9%. Invasive melanomas with a DI were thinner than those lacking this descriptor. In addition, more than half of the melanomas with a DI arose on a nevus. The DI appeared mainly reticular on a reticular background. CONCLUSION The DI is characteristic of thin melanoma arising in a nevus; thus, it can be considered a potential early sign of transformation of a nevus into a melanoma.

Reticular grey-blue areas of regression as a dermoscopic marker of melanoma in situ.

Background  By dermoscopy, regression structures are substantially defined by the presence of white and blue areas in the lesion image. As fibrosis and melanosis are often seen in malignant melanoma (MM), the presence of dermoscopic signs of regression may represent a clue for the diagnosis of malignancy.

Clinical Indications for Use of Reflectance Confocal Microscopy for Skin Cancer Diagnosis

Importance Reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) improves diagnostic accuracy in skin cancer detection when combined with dermoscopy; however, little evidence has been gathered regarding its real impact on routine clinical workflow, and, to our knowledge, no studies have defined the terms for its optimal application. Objective To identify lesions on which RCM performs better in terms of diagnostic accuracy and consequently to outline the best indications for use of RCM. Design, Setting, and Participants Prospectively acquired and evaluated RCM images from consecutive patients with at least 1 clinically and/or dermoscopically equivocal skin lesion referred to RCM imaging, from January 2012 to October 2014, carried out in a tertiary referral academic center. Main Outcomes and Measures A total of 1279 equivocal skin lesions were sent for RCM imaging. Spearman correlation, univariate, and multivariate regression models were performed to find features significantly correlated with RCM outcome. Results In a total of 1279 lesions in 1147 patients, RCM sensitivity and specificity were 95.3% and 83.9%, respectively. The number of lesions needed to excise to rule out a melanoma was 2.4. After univariate and multivariate regression analysis, head and neck resulted as the most appropriate body location for confocal examination; RCM showed a high diagnostic accuracy for lesions located on sun-damaged skin (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 2.13; 95% CI, 1.37-3.30; P=.001) and typified by dermoscopic regression (aOR, 2.13; 95% CI, 1.31-3.47; P=.002) or basal-cell carcinoma specific criteria (aOR, 9.35; 95% CI, 1.28-68.58; P=.03). Conclusions and Relevance Lesions located on the head and neck, damaged by chronic sun-exposure, and dermoscopically typified by regression represent best indications for the use of RCM.

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.

The dermoscopic variability of pigment network in melanoma in situ.

To define the dermoscopic aspects of the network in melanoma in situ (MIS), using both standard and newly introduced network descriptors. Fifty-four histologically confirmed MIS with a reticular pattern, 108 atypical reticular naevi and 108 typical reticular naevi were evaluated for the presence of 11 network descriptors. The ABCD-score and the seven-point score were calculated, and the diameter of the lesions was measured by means of a dedicated software. Clinical data including age, sex and skin site were also considered. The prevalence of different dermoscopic features was calculated to allow (i) the identification of lesions to be excised and (ii) the distinction between MIS and dermoscopically atypical naevi. In dermoscopically atypical lesions (MIS and atypical naevi), the frequency of all descriptors significantly differed from those of typical naevi. With respect to atypical naevi, MIS more frequently showed larger size, an atypical network involving more than half of the lesion, the contemporary presence of more than one type of network and more extended reticular grey–blue regression areas located both in the centre and at the periphery of the lesion. The list of network descriptors proposed by us can be used for the identification of lesions that should be subjected to surgery. For the distinction between MIS and atypical naevi, the extension of an atypical network, the presence of more than one type of network, the distribution of reticular grey–blue areas and the lesion diameter must be considered.

The somatic affairs of BRAF: tailored therapies for advanced malignant melanoma and orphan non-V600E (V600R-M) mutations

BRAF V600R-M-D are uncommon mutations, not included in the experimental protocols of BRAF selective inhibitors. We report the evaluation of correlations among different types of BRAF somatic mutations in melanoma and their management with BRAF inhibitors. 21 patients with BRAF mutated metastatic melanoma were enrolled in the protocol with BRAF inhibitors for compassionate use at the University of Modena. Hot spot V600E mutations were found in 19 patients. V600R mutation and double (V600E -V600M) mutation were identified in two melanomas. In one case, V600K mutation was found. Two screening failures were noted. Mean progression free survival at follow-up of to 8 weeks, was 7.6 months. Five patients had a very short follow-up and the experimental protocol is still ongoing, so we cannot provide complete follow-up data. However, all of them are still under treatment and disease progression free. An objective response with few side effects was observed in all patients. in vitro studies with the aim of testing drug sensitivity.

Orthovoltage radiotherapy for nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC): Comparison between 2 different schedules.

BACKGROUND Radiotherapy is an established treatment for some types of patients with nonmelanoma skin cancer. A hypofractionated schedule has been proposed as a valuable option for elderly disabled patients to minimize the number of hospital visits. OBJECTIVE We sought to compare a weekly hypofractionated orthovoltage radiotherapy regimen with a standard daily one for the treatment of nonmelanoma skin cancer. METHODS A retrospective cohort study was performed on 436 tumors. Overall survival, disease-free survival, and cosmetic outcome were measured. Life-table analysis, Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, and multivariate Cox regression model were performed. RESULTS The hypofractionated regimen was not associated with increased recurrence rates and mortality, or with a poorer cosmetic outcome, when compared with the daily schedule. LIMITATIONS Absence of complete information about acute treatment toxicity and a shorter follow-up time for patients receiving the weekly schedule are limitations of this study. CONCLUSIONS A weekly hypofractionated regimen of orthovoltage radiotherapy seems to be the most appropriate approach in elderly disabled patients with nonmelanoma skin cancers.

Grey-Blue Regression in Melanoma In Situ—Evaluation on 111 Cases

As fibrosis and melanosis are often seen in malignant melanoma, the presence of dermoscopic signs of regression may represent a clue for the diagnosis of malignancy. Our aim was to assess the frequency and extent of 11 dermoscopic features of regression evaluating dermoscopic images of 111 melanomas in situ (MIS). Regression structures (grey-blue areas, white areas, peppering, and/or blue-whitish veil) were present in 80.1% of the lesions. Approximately 80% of the lesions showed regression of dermoscopic structures and light brown areas. Most lesions showed the presence of grey-blue areas (74.7%), whereas peppering was observable in 30.6% of MIS. Areas of fibrosis were mainly observable as structureless areas with a pinkish hue (50.4%). Based on our data, the reticular pattern of blue regression and light brown areas can be considered a significant discriminator and a reliable predictor of MIS.

Melanoma and naevi with a globular pattern: confocal microscopy as an aid for diagnostic differentiation

Dermoscopically, one of the most common findings in melanocytic lesions is a globular pattern. A regular globular pattern is a common finding in naevi. Melanoma can also show a globular pattern, with globules typically irregular in size, colour and distribution.