Comparing Melanoma Invasiveness in Dermatologist- versus Patient-Detected Lesions: A Retrospective Chart Review
This study examined whether patient-identified melanomas were more advanced than dermatologist-identified tumors at routine clinic visits, and whether a personal or family history of skin cancer was associated with patterns of detection. A retrospective chart review was performed on melanoma patient...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Wiley
2012-01-01
|
| Series: | Journal of Skin Cancer |
| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2012/187963 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1849686904267603968 |
|---|---|
| author | Cindy L. Lamerson Kristina Eaton Joel L. Sax Mohammed Kashani-Sabet |
| author_facet | Cindy L. Lamerson Kristina Eaton Joel L. Sax Mohammed Kashani-Sabet |
| author_sort | Cindy L. Lamerson |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This study examined whether patient-identified melanomas were more advanced than dermatologist-identified tumors at routine clinic visits, and whether a personal or family history of skin cancer was associated with patterns of detection. A retrospective chart review was performed on melanoma patients (N=201) in a private dermatology clinic. Variables included age, gender, pattern of detection (i.e., patient or a board certified dermatologist), personal or family history of skin cancer, skin type, and previous sun exposure, as well as tumor location and severity. Dermatologist-diagnosed melanomas were less invasive (P<0.0005), and more likely present on the chest, back, and legs (P<0.01). Conversely, patient-identified lesions were more likely to occur on the face, neck and scalp, be associated with younger patients, and a family history of melanoma, but not other types of skin cancer (P<0.01). In a post-hoc analysis examining these factors as predictors of tumor invasiveness, only diagnostic source was significant. Specifically, dermatologist-identified tumors were significantly less invasive than patient-identified tumors. Although age, family history, and tumor location played roles in the early detection of melanomas, the most important factor was diagnostic source. Thus, board-certified dermatologists play a key role in the early detection of malignant melanoma. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-0116396820bc427b8657e298f3c76fbb |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2090-2905 2090-2913 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2012-01-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Skin Cancer |
| spelling | doaj-art-0116396820bc427b8657e298f3c76fbb2025-08-20T03:22:31ZengWileyJournal of Skin Cancer2090-29052090-29132012-01-01201210.1155/2012/187963187963Comparing Melanoma Invasiveness in Dermatologist- versus Patient-Detected Lesions: A Retrospective Chart ReviewCindy L. Lamerson0Kristina Eaton1Joel L. Sax2Mohammed Kashani-Sabet3University of Nevada School of Medicine, Reno, NV 89557, USAUniversity of California, Irvine, CA 92868, USANevada Center for Dermatology, 650 Sierra Rose Drive, Suite A, Reno, NV 89511, USACenter for Melanoma Research and Treatment, California Pacific Medical Center and CPMC Research Institute, San Francisco, CA 94143, USAThis study examined whether patient-identified melanomas were more advanced than dermatologist-identified tumors at routine clinic visits, and whether a personal or family history of skin cancer was associated with patterns of detection. A retrospective chart review was performed on melanoma patients (N=201) in a private dermatology clinic. Variables included age, gender, pattern of detection (i.e., patient or a board certified dermatologist), personal or family history of skin cancer, skin type, and previous sun exposure, as well as tumor location and severity. Dermatologist-diagnosed melanomas were less invasive (P<0.0005), and more likely present on the chest, back, and legs (P<0.01). Conversely, patient-identified lesions were more likely to occur on the face, neck and scalp, be associated with younger patients, and a family history of melanoma, but not other types of skin cancer (P<0.01). In a post-hoc analysis examining these factors as predictors of tumor invasiveness, only diagnostic source was significant. Specifically, dermatologist-identified tumors were significantly less invasive than patient-identified tumors. Although age, family history, and tumor location played roles in the early detection of melanomas, the most important factor was diagnostic source. Thus, board-certified dermatologists play a key role in the early detection of malignant melanoma.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2012/187963 |
| spellingShingle | Cindy L. Lamerson Kristina Eaton Joel L. Sax Mohammed Kashani-Sabet Comparing Melanoma Invasiveness in Dermatologist- versus Patient-Detected Lesions: A Retrospective Chart Review Journal of Skin Cancer |
| title | Comparing Melanoma Invasiveness in Dermatologist- versus Patient-Detected Lesions: A Retrospective Chart Review |
| title_full | Comparing Melanoma Invasiveness in Dermatologist- versus Patient-Detected Lesions: A Retrospective Chart Review |
| title_fullStr | Comparing Melanoma Invasiveness in Dermatologist- versus Patient-Detected Lesions: A Retrospective Chart Review |
| title_full_unstemmed | Comparing Melanoma Invasiveness in Dermatologist- versus Patient-Detected Lesions: A Retrospective Chart Review |
| title_short | Comparing Melanoma Invasiveness in Dermatologist- versus Patient-Detected Lesions: A Retrospective Chart Review |
| title_sort | comparing melanoma invasiveness in dermatologist versus patient detected lesions a retrospective chart review |
| url | http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2012/187963 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT cindyllamerson comparingmelanomainvasivenessindermatologistversuspatientdetectedlesionsaretrospectivechartreview AT kristinaeaton comparingmelanomainvasivenessindermatologistversuspatientdetectedlesionsaretrospectivechartreview AT joellsax comparingmelanomainvasivenessindermatologistversuspatientdetectedlesionsaretrospectivechartreview AT mohammedkashanisabet comparingmelanomainvasivenessindermatologistversuspatientdetectedlesionsaretrospectivechartreview |