Growth-curve modeling of nevi with a peripheral globular pattern

Shirin Bajaj, Stephen W. Dusza, Michael A. Marchetti, Xinyuan Wu, Maira Fonseca, Kivanc Kose, Johanna Brito, Cristina Carrera, Vanessa P. Martins De Silva, Josep Malvehy, Susana Puig, Sarah Yagerman, Tracey N. Liebman, Alon Scope, Allan C. Halpern, Ashfaq A. Marghoob*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

32 Scopus citations

Abstract

IMPORTANCE Although nevi with a peripheral rim of globules (peripheral globular nevi [PGN]) observed with dermoscopy are associated with enlarging melanocytic nevi, their actual growth dynamics remain unknown. Because change is a sensitive but nonspecific marker for melanoma, beginning to understand the growth patterns of nevi may improve the ability of physicians to differentiate normal from abnormal growth and reduce unnecessary biopsies. OBJECTIVE To study the growth dynamics and morphologic evolution of PGN on dermoscopy. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS A total of 84 participants with 121 PGN from September 1, 1999, through May 1, 2013, were identified retrospectively. Cohorts were recruited from the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center; Melanoma Unit of the Hospital Clinic, University of Barcelona; and Study of Nevi in Children. All 3 cohorts underwent longitudinal monitoring with serial dermoscopic imaging of their PGN. Data analysis was performed from May 1, 2014 through April 1, 2015. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Establishment of the natural growth curve of PGN. The secondary aim was to establish the median time to growth cessation in those PGN for which the size eventually stabilized and/or had begun to decrease during the study period. RESULTS The median duration of follow-up was 25.1 (range, 2.0-114.4) months. Most of the nevi (116 [95.9%]) enlarged at some point during sequential monitoring. The rate of increase in the surface area of PGN varied among cohorts and ranged from -0.47 to 2.26mm2/mo (mean rate, 0.25 [95%CI, 0.14-0.36]mm2/mo). The median time to growth cessation in the 26 PGN that stabilized or decreased in size (21.5%) was 58.6 months. All lesions changed in a symmetric manner and 91 (75.2%) displayed a decrease in the density of peripheral globules over time. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Nevi displaying a peripheral globular pattern enlarged symmetrically with apparent growth cessation occurring during a span of 4 to 5 years. Our results reiterate the important concept that not all growth is associated with malignancy.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1338-1345
Number of pages8
JournalJAMA Dermatology
Volume151
Issue number12
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2015

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Growth-curve modeling of nevi with a peripheral globular pattern'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this