Search Our Scientific Publications & Authors

Eur J Ophthalmol 2020 Feb 16:1120672120906999. Epub 2020 Feb 16.

Laboratorio di Genetica Medica, Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e Oncologia Umana, Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy.

Purpose: We investigated the molecular causes of an unusual pigmented and ulcerated iris lesion detected in a patient diagnosed with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1).

Case Report: A 52-year-old man was referred to our clinic with a non-traumatic ulcer in his left eye. Hyphema reabsorption disclosed a pigmented iris mass, thus ultrasound biomicroscopy and anterior segment fluorescein angiography were performed to investigate for the presence of a malignant lesion. Read More

Indian J Ophthalmol 2019 12;67(12):2035-2042

Department of Ophthalmology, Ocular Oncology Service, Wills Eye Hospital, Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.

Purpose: To evaluate choroidal nevus demographics, clinical features, imaging features, and the rate of transformation into melanoma by race.

Methods: In This Observational Case Series,: There were 3334 participants (3806 choroidal nevi) at a single tertiary-referral center evaluated between January 2, 2007, and August 7, 2017. Retrospective chart and multimodal imaging review was performed. Read More

Arch Craniofac Surg 2019 Aug 20;20(4):260-264. Epub 2019 Aug 20.

Department of Internal Medicine, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Busan, Korea.

Dysplastic nevus is common and affects about 10% of the northern European-descendent population. Studies over the past several decades have identified dysplastic nevi as a risk factor for malignant melanoma. Furthermore, in rare cases, they confirmed that dysplastic nevi have progressed to melanoma. Read More

FP Essent 2019 Jun;481:23-27

Firelands Regional Medical Center Family Medicine Residency, 1111 Hayes Ave, Sandusky, OH 44870.

Actinic keratoses (AKs) are common skin lesions caused by cumulative sun exposure. Rates of lesion progression to squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) have been reported to be between 0.025% and 16%, some lesions may regress. Read More

Gan To Kagaku Ryoho 2019 Apr;46(4):650-654

Shinshu University.

Am J Clin Dermatol 2019 Oct;20(5):669-682

Department of Dermatology, Zealand University Hospital, Roskilde, Denmark.

Eruptive melanocytic nevi (EMN) is a phenomenon characterized by the sudden onset of nevi. Our objective was to compile all published reports of EMN to identify possible precipitating factors and to evaluate the clinical appearance and course. We conducted a systematic bibliographic search and selected 93 articles, representing 179 patients with EMN. Read More

J Cutan Pathol 2019 Oct 20;46(10):798-799. Epub 2019 Jun 20.

The Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York.

Am J Med Genet A 2019 07 29;179(7):1315-1318. Epub 2019 Apr 29.

Department of Pediatrics, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan.

X-linked dominant chondrodysplasia punctata (Conradi-Hunermann-Happle syndrome, CDPX2) caused by mutations in the emopamil-binding protein (EBP) gene and congenital hemidysplasia with ichthyosiform nevus and limb defects (CHILD) syndrome caused by mutation in the NAD(P)H steroid dehydrogenase-like (NSDHL) gene are rare, typically male lethal disorders. CDPX2 skin lesions are characterized by transient severe congenital ichthyosis following the lines of Blaschko, whereas in CHILD syndrome, the lesions show striking lateralization. Here, we report a male CDPX2 patient with postzygotic mosaicism of the EBP gene presenting with lateralized skin lesions with strict midline demarcation as seen in CHILD syndrome (although this diagnosis was ruled out based on analysis of NSDHL), but also partly distributed along Blaschko's lines as seen in CDPX2. Read More

Melanoma Res 2019 06;29(3):311-312

Department of Dermatology, Rouen University Hospital, Rouen.

We report a case of major regression of multiple atypical melanocytic nevi with a vitiligoid reaction in a patient with metastatic melanoma who achieved long-lasting complete remission after ipilimumab therapy. In 2008, a 54-year-old man presented with a dysplastic nevus syndrome. The patient was diagnosed with a scalp ulcerated melanoma (Breslow index 5. Read More

Melanoma Res 2019 06;29(3):325-327

Departments of Dermatology.

Meyerson phenomenon (MP), also called halo eczema or halo dermatitis, was first described in 1971 as a symmetric eczematous halo around acquired melanocytic nevi. Since then, cases of MP have been described in any kind of melanocytic nevi and also in non-melanocytic tumors. To the best of our knowledge, only four cases of melanoma associated with MP have been reported. Read More

Cancer Res 2019 06 9;79(11):2992-3000. Epub 2019 Apr 9.

Hereditary Cancer Center, Creighton University, Omaha, Nebraska.

Familial atypical multiple mole melanoma (FAMMM) syndrome is a hereditary cancer syndrome that results from mutations in several genes, including the gene. In addition to melanoma, certain other malignancies such as pancreatic cancer are known to occur more frequently in family members who carry the mutation. However, as these families have been followed over time, additional cancers have been observed in both carriers and noncarriers. Read More

Australas J Dermatol 2019 Nov 2;60(4):e292-e297. Epub 2019 Apr 2.

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA.

Background/objectives: High a naevus counts and atypical naevi are risk factors for cutaneous melanoma. However, many individuals with a high-risk naevus phenotype do not develop melanoma. In this study, we describe the clinical and dermoscopic attributes of naevi associated with melanoma in a high-risk naevus phenotype population. Read More

Australas J Dermatol 2019 Aug 14;60(3):246-248. Epub 2019 Mar 14.

Dermatology Unit, Galliera Hospital, Genoa, Italy.

Australas J Dermatol 2019 Aug 10;60(3):186-191. Epub 2019 Mar 10.

Department of Anatomical Pathology, PathWest Laboratory Medicine, QEII Medical Centre, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.

Dysplastic naevus has been a controversial entity since its first description by Clark in 1978. Despite a recent paradigm shift from the initially proposed notion that dysplastic naevus is a precursor to melanoma, its management has been increasingly more aggressive in the last decade. The latter is due to an unresolved uncertainty regarding its biological nature which necessitates further clarification. Read More

J Am Acad Dermatol 2019 06 15;80(6):e169. Epub 2019 Jan 15.

Department of Dermatology, Penn State Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, Pennsylvania; Department of Pathology, Penn State Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, Pennsylvania.

Int J Dermatol 2019 May 13;58(5):569-576. Epub 2018 Dec 13.

Dermatology and Plastic Surgery Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA.

Background: A significant number of pigmented lesions are biopsied to rule out melanoma, but most will be benign. MelaFind is a highly sensitive, noninvasive computer-assisted system to aid in clinical diagnosis of melanoma.

Methods: A total of 140 high-risk patients were followed by one expert dermatologist. Read More

JAMA Dermatol 2018 12;154(12):1387-1388

Department of Dermatology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston.

JAMA Dermatol 2018 12;154(12):1401-1408

Department of Dermatology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia.

Importance: Little evidence exists to guide the management of moderately dysplastic nevi excisionally biopsied without residual clinical pigmentation but with positive histologic margins (hereafter referred to as moderately dysplastic nevi with positive histologic margins).

Objective: To determine outcomes and risk for the development of subsequent cutaneous melanoma (CM) from moderately dysplastic nevi with positive histologic margins observed for 3 years or more.

Design, Setting, And Participants: A multicenter (9 US academic dermatology sites) retrospective cohort study was conducted of patients 18 years or older with moderately dysplastic nevi with positive histologic margins and 3 years or more of follow-up data collected consecutively from January 1, 1990, to August 31, 2014. Read More

J Am Acad Dermatol 2019 May 28;80(5):1263-1271. Epub 2018 Sep 28.

Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, University of Genoa and IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy.

Background: Cyclin dependent kinase inhibitor 2A gene (CDKN2A) germline mutations have recently been associated with poor survival in patients with melanoma. Despite the high mutation rate in our cohort (up to 10% in patients with apparently sporadic melanoma), information on the impact of CDKN2A on survival in this cohort is lacking.

Objective: To investigate whether poor survival associated with CDKN2A germline mutations was confirmed in a high mutation-prevalence cohort of Italian patients with melanoma undergoing a mutation-based follow-up. Read More

Br J Dermatol 2018 09;179(3):554-555

The Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology, New York University School of Medicine, 240 East 38th Street, 11th Floor, New York, NY, 10016, U.S.A.

PLoS One 2018 7;13(9):e0203459. Epub 2018 Sep 7.

Skin and Cancer Foundation, Melbourne, Australia.

An automated melanocytic lesion image-analysis algorithm is described that aims to reproduce the decision-making of a dermatologist. The utility of the algorithm lies in its ability to identify lesions requiring excision from lesions not requiring excision. Using only wavelet coefficients as features, and testing three different machine learning algorithms, a cohort of 250 images of pigmented lesions is classified based on expert dermatologists' recommendations of either excision (165 images) or no excision (85 images). Read More

J Dermatol 2019 Feb 6;46(2):e76-e77. Epub 2018 Aug 6.

Department of Dermatology, Kosin University College of Medicine, Busan, South Korea.

J Drugs Dermatol 2018 Jul;17(7):810-812

Introduction: Biopsies of atypical melanocytic nevi are among the most commonly performed procedures by dermatologists. Margin assessment is often used to guide re-excision, but can be a point of confusion as negative margins reported in the planes of sections examined do not always reflect complete removal of a lesion. This study investigates the rates of false negative margins after both punch and shave biopsies. Read More

Acta Dermatovenerol Croat 2018 Jun;26(2):183-185

Ružica Jurakić Tončić, MD, Department of Dermatovenereology, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, Šalata 4, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia;

Dear Editor, There are few literature data about nevi in patients with a history of toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) and little recommendations for follow-up and risks of melanoma (MM). Eruptive melanocytic nevi (EMN) is a rare phenomenon that has been associated with bullous disorders, immunosuppression, and immunodeficiency, but in some cases can occur without precipitating factors (1). The etiology is largely unknown, but there is evidence that immunosuppression might play a crucial role in nevogenesis, probably due to the inability of the immune system to inhibit melanocytic (MC) proliferation (2,3). Read More

J Am Acad Dermatol 2019 Jan 23;80(1):278-280. Epub 2018 May 23.

Department of Dermatology, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida. Electronic address:

J Biomed Opt 2018 05;23(5):1-10

University of Texas at Austin, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Austin, Texas, Unites States.

Raman spectroscopy (RS) has demonstrated great potential for in vivo cancer screening; however, the biophysical changes that occur for specific diagnoses remain unclear. We recently developed an inverse biophysical skin cancer model to address this issue. Here, we presented the first demonstration of in vivo melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) detection based on this model. Read More

Br J Dermatol 2018 10 3;179(4):997-998. Epub 2018 Aug 3.

Department of Dermatology, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2300 RC, Leiden, the Netherlands.

Acta Derm Venereol 2018 Jun;98(6):556-562

Dermatology Department, Gregorio Marañon General University Hospital and Clinica Dermatologica Internacional, Madrid, Spain.

The aim of this case-case study was to determine the differences between dysplastic and common naevus-associated melanomas (NAM) and de novo melanomas. A total of 1,021 prospectively collected patients with invasive cutaneous melanoma from an oncology referral centre were included in the study. Of these, 75. Read More

Br J Dermatol 2018 09 21;179(3):590-598. Epub 2018 Jun 21.

Department of Dermatology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, U.S.A.

Background: The management of histologically dysplastic naevi (HDN) with re-excision vs. observation remains controversial because of lack of evidence about associated melanoma outcomes.

Objectives: To assess published data on the development of biopsy-site primary cutaneous melanoma among biopsy-proven HDN managed with either re-excision or observation. Read More

Ann R Coll Surg Engl 2018 Apr 15;100(4):330-337. Epub 2018 Mar 15.

University of Queensland, School of Medicine , Brisbane, Queensland , Australia.

Objective There remains confusion between Langer's lines and wrinkle lines with respect to the optimal orientation of elliptical excisions on the trunk. This study sought to determine the directions of wound closure that would result in least wound tension after skin lesion excisions. Materials and methods Some 1181 consecutive skin lesion excisions were investigated (age range 13-95 years, median 64 years) using a tensiometer to determine directions of least wound tension. Read More

Open Access Maced J Med Sci 2018 Jan 24;6(1):1-5. Epub 2017 Dec 24.

Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Dermatologic Surgery, Medical Institute of Ministry of Interior (MVR-Sofia), General Skobelev 79, 1606 Sofia, Bulgaria.

Globalisation, scientific and technical progress are the basis of numerous innovative therapies for oncologic and non-oncologic diseases. It is another matter how much and by whom they are desired, and whether they have to be applied. When and how often? Innovative approaches should go towards simplification, universal distribution and application while at the same time analysis between the potential initial investment and the achieved final result should be made. Read More

Clin Exp Dermatol 2018 Jul 16;43(5):566-572. Epub 2018 Feb 16.

Pigmented Lesion Clinic and Cutaneous Oncology Program, Department of Dermatology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.

Background: High naevus count (HNC) (≥ 50 naevi) and presence of dysplastic naevi (DN) are risk factors for malignant melanoma (MM); however, MMs also occur in patients with low naevus count (LNC) (< 50 naevi) and in patients without DN. Little is known about differences between MMs in these groups.

Aim: To characterize the clinicopathological differences between MMs in patients with HNC and those in patients with LNC, with or without biopsy-proven DN. Read More

J Invest Dermatol 2018 07 8;138(7):1620-1626. Epub 2018 Feb 8.

Human Genetics Program, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA.

Since 1976, melanoma-prone families have been followed at the National Cancer Institute to identify etiologic factors for melanoma. We compared risks of melanoma and other cancers in 1,226 members of 56 families followed for up to 4 decades with population rates in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results program. All families were tested for mutations in CDKN2A and CDK4; 29 were mutation-positive and 27 mutation-negative. Read More

J Am Acad Dermatol 2018 Aug 4;79(2):367-369. Epub 2018 Jan 4.

Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Electronic address:

J Am Acad Dermatol 2018 05 11;78(5):913-919. Epub 2017 Nov 11.

Department of Dermatology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois. Electronic address:

Background: Shiny white streaks (SWSs) are best visualized with polarized dermoscopy and correlate with dermal fibroplasia histopathologically. SWSs have been described at higher frequencies in melanomas than in benign nevi.

Objective: We assessed the diagnostic value of different patterns of SWSs and their histologic correlate in melanocytic lesions. Read More

Pathology 2018 Jan 10;50(1):16-23. Epub 2017 Nov 10.

Tissue Pathology and Diagnostic Oncology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, Australia; Melanoma Institute of Australia, The University of Sydney, North Sydney, Australia; Discipline of Pathology, Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.

A stepwise progression from melanocytic precursors to cutaneous melanoma is a well-established model, based on decades of careful observation and morphological analysis. The steps identified are benign melanocytic naevus, dysplastic naevus, 'radial growth phase' melanoma (including melanoma in situ) and 'vertical growth phase' melanoma (also termed tumourigenic melanoma). Recent genomic data have refined the understanding of the steps of melanoma development and their relationship to one another. Read More

Australas J Dermatol 2017 Nov 2;58(4):304-307. Epub 2017 Nov 2.

South East Dermatology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.

Background/objectives: The management of dysplastic naevi based on histopathological grading is a contentious issue. Comprehensive management guidelines are lacking and the approach taken varies between clinicians. The authors sought to understand how Australian dermatologists approach the management of biopsy-proven dysplastic naevi, and the impact of grading of dysplasia upon this management. Read More

J Am Acad Dermatol 2017 11;77(5):e147

Department of Dermatology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas; Department of Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas. Electronic address:

J Am Acad Dermatol 2017 11;77(5):e145-e146

Department of Dermatology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Florida Center for Dermatology, PA, Saint Augustine, Florida. Electronic address:

Practitioner 2017 01;261(1800):23-7

More than 200 hereditary cancer susceptibility syndromes have been described, and it is thought that they account for 5-10% of all cancers. Many have dermatological manifestations (usually lesions, occasionally rashes) which frequently precede other systemic pathology. Dermatological signs are usually non-specific and often trivial in appearance, making their significance easy to overlook and a clinical diagnosis challenging. Read More

J Am Acad Dermatol 2017 Dec 2;77(6):1096-1099. Epub 2017 Oct 2.

Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York. Electronic address:

Background: Complete removal of individual dysplastic nevi (DN) is often accomplished by a second surgical procedure after the initial biopsy. The choice to perform the second procedure is strongly influenced by histopathologic margin status of the initial biopsy specimen.

Objective: To evaluate the clinical and histopathologic outcomes of in toto biopsy of DN using a predetermined margin of normal skin. Read More

J Dtsch Dermatol Ges 2017 Oct;15(10):999-1016

Department of Dermatology and Allergology, Augsburg Medical Center, Augsburg, Germany.

In addition to dermoscopy, there are other imaging and biophysical methods for the noninvasive diagnosis of skin lesions. Confocal laser microscopy allows for high-resolution imaging of the epidermis and upper dermis. It is particularly suitable in the differential diagnosis of melanocytic lesions. Read More

JAMA Dermatol 2017 11;153(11):1122-1129

Service de Dermatologie Centre Hospitalier, Lyon Sud, France.

Importance: Genetic testing for melanoma-prone mutation in France, a country with low to moderate incidence of melanoma, is proposed in cases with 2 invasive cutaneous melanomas and/or related cancers in the same patient, or in first- or second-degree relatives (rule of 2). In preclinical studies, these rules led to disclosure of mutation(s) in more than 10% of these families, the threshold widely accepted to justify genetic testing for cancers.

Objective: To reconsider these criteria in a general population testing of patients. Read More

J Am Acad Dermatol 2017 Nov 29;77(5):938-945.e4. Epub 2017 Aug 29.

Dermatology and Skin Cancer Unit, First Medical Department, Arcispedale Santa Maria Nuova, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Reggio Emilia, Italy; Dermatology Unit, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy. Electronic address:

The reported prevalence of nevus-associated melanoma varies substantially. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the incidence and prevalence of this disease; we also performed subanalyses considering age, tumor thickness, and nevus-type classification. In 38 observational cohort and case-control studies, 29. Read More

J Am Acad Dermatol 2017 09;77(3):e85

Department of Dermatology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas; Department of Pathology and Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas. Electronic address:

G Ital Dermatol Venereol 2019 Jun 11;154(3):315-320. Epub 2017 Jul 11.

Dermatologic Clinic Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.

Background: There is no universally-accepted classification of Spitzoid tumors. This makes it difficult to assign a correct diagnosis and select a treatment that minimizes the risk of overestimating, or worse, underestimating, the malignant potential of these tumors. The aim of this study was to describe the clinical-pathological and epidemiological features of Spitzoid tumors, as well as to assess mortality in these patients. Read More

Biomed Res Int 2017 26;2017:6803756. Epub 2017 Feb 26.

Chair of Pathomorphology, Faculty of Medicine, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Grzegórzecka 16, 31-351 Kraków, Poland.

Dendritic cells could be involved in immune surveillance of highly immunogenic tumors such as melanoma. Their role in the progression melanocytic nevi to melanoma is however a matter of controversy. The number of dendritic cells within epidermis, in peritumoral zone, and within the lesion was counted on slides immunohistochemically stained for CD1a, CD1c, DC-LAMP, and DC-SIGN in 21 of dysplastic nevi, 27 in situ melanomas, and 21 invasive melanomas. Read More

Acta Derm Venereol 2017 Jun;97(6):720-723

Department of Dermatology, Hospital Clinic, 08012 Barcelona, Spain.

Li-Fraumeni syndrome (LFS) is a rare autosomal dominant disorder caused by a mutation in the p53 gene. Melanoma is considered to be a rare, controversial component of LFS. The aim of this study is to describe the utility of systematic screening for melanoma in patients with LFS and atypical mole syndrome. Read More

J Dermatol 2017 Jun 13;44(6):681-689. Epub 2017 Feb 13.

Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Fundación Alcorcón, Rey Juan Carlos University, Madrid, Spain.

Digital dermoscopy (DD) follow up is a useful strategy for monitoring patients at high risk of melanoma. Reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) is a valuable second-level examination after dermoscopy for the evaluation of difficult to diagnose lesions. The aim of this study was to assess the value of RCM in routine DD monitoring of patients at high risk of melanoma. Read More