A possible additional diagnostic tool for cutaneous melanoma.

Sarah Brenner*, Jacob Mashiah

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

Abstract

The rise in incidence of malignant melanoma and the dismal prognosis of late detection emphasize the need for early detection and recognition of the disease. The well-known ABCD method for detection of melanoma has recently been revised by adding an "E" for changes in size, shape, color, crusting, itching, bleeding, and erythema. In an observational study, 8 of 14 (57%) melanoma patients exhibited a particular reddish hue to the skin adjacent to the melanoma, with no distinguishable borders. In another study, vascular endothelial growth factor was positive in biopsy specimens from 3 of 6 (50%) patients with erythema and in 4 of 7 (57%) patients without erythema. Platelet-derived growth factor was positive in all 6 (100%) of the patients with erythema and in 4 of the 7 (57%) without erythema. This erythema can help alert the clinician to the presence of malignant melanoma and serve as a prognostic factor or an indicator of the efficacy of treatment.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)233-235
Number of pages3
JournalSkinmed
Volume5
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - 2006

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