Clinical ABCDE rule for early melanoma detection

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2021

Authors

Duarte, AF (Author) Other; Sousa Pinto, B (Author) FMUP; Azevedo L (Author) FMUP; Barros, AM (Author) Other; Puig, S (Author) Other; Malvehy, J (Author) Other; Haneke, E (Author) Other; Correia, O (Author) Other

Journal

Title: European Journal of Dermatology

Vol. 31

Pages: 771-778

ISSN: 1167-1122

Publisher: Libbey

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 41 Citations

Scopus - 55 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00W-1HH

DOI: 10.1684/ejd.2021.4171

Abstract (EN): Background: The ABCDE rule systematizes warning signs for malignant melanoma (MM). Objectives: To evaluate whether the ABCDE signs are associated with early detection of MM. Materials & Methods: Based on a retrospective study over 11.5 years, we assessed whether ABCDE signs are associated with early diagnosis of MM. Results: In total, 144 MM were included; 52 (36.1%) in situ and 92 (63.9%) invasive lesions. For 23.6%, the MM were first suspected by an individual other than a dermatologist. The "E sign" was significantly less frequent among in situ lesions (32.7% versus 50.0%; p= 0.044). Based on adjusted analyses, the probability of MM being first suspected by a non-dermatologist consistently increased with the number of ABCDE signs of the lesion, ranging from 8% for a neoplasm with no ABCDE signs to 32% for a lesion with five signs (OR =1.6; 95% CI: 1.2-2.2; p = 0.004). Conclusion: A higher number of ABCDE signs were associated with a greater chance of MM being first suspected by a non-dermatologist, but not in situ MM diagnosis. Relying on the ABCDE rule alone might result in missing early MM lesions.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 8