Current controversies in early-stage melanoma : Questions on incidence, screening, and histologic regression - 13/12/18
Abstract |
In the first article in this continuing medical education series we review controversies and uncertainties relating to the epidemiology and initial diagnosis of localized cutaneous melanoma (ie, stage 0, I, or II). Many of these issues are unsettled because of conflicting evidence. Melanoma incidence appears to be increasing, yet its basis has not been fully explained. Despite the advantages of early detection, the US Preventive Services Task Force does not recommend skin screening for the general population. Occasionally, biopsy specimens of melanoma will show histologic regression, but the prognostic importance of this phenomenon is uncertain. Some practitioners recommend obtaining a sentinel lymph node biopsy specimen for thin melanomas showing regression, although this histologic finding is not part of the staging system for thin melanomas. Our goal is to provide the clinician who cares for patients with (or at risk for) melanoma with up-to-date contextual knowledge to appreciate the multiple sides of each controversy so that they will be better informed to discuss these issues with their patients and their families.
Le texte complet de cet article est disponible en PDF.Key words : epidemiology, melanoma, nevus, regression, screening, sentinel lymph node biopsy
Abbreviations used : AJCC, SEER, SLNB, USPSTF, UVR
Plan
Ms Gardner and Ms Strunck contributed equally to this article. |
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Supported by the University of Utah Department of Dermatology and the Huntsman Cancer Foundation (Drs Grossman and Wu) and by academic career award K07CA196985 from the National Cancer Institute (Dr Wu). |
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Conflicts of interest: None disclosed. |
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The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health. |
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Date of release: January 2019 |
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Expiration date: January 2022 |
Vol 80 - N° 1
P. 1-12 - janvier 2019 Retour au numéroBienvenue sur EM-consulte, la référence des professionnels de santé.
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