Cluster of pregnancy-associated melanoma: A case report and brief update.

Melanoma incidence is increasing globally with Australia having the highest incidence in the world. Pregnancy-associated melanoma is recognized in the published work; however, significant knowledge deficiencies exist. We present the case of a 34-year-old woman with dysplastic nevus syndrome who over a 15-year period developed a total of nine melanomas, with eight clustered around an 18-month peri- to post-partum period. The first eight lesions were in situ with the ninth lesion invasive. No metastatic disease was observed over the 18-year follow-up period. This case identifies the potential sensitivity of a subset of melanomas to pregnancy-related factors, with particular relevance to the development of lesions in the post-partum period. We suggest that patients with a history of any documented melanoma risk factors, particularly dysplastic nevus syndrome, require close monitoring especially during pregnancy and early post-partum.

Keratinocyte cancer with incidental perineural invasion: A registry analysis of management and 5-year outcomes.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Perineural invasion within keratinocyte cancer is a hallmark of tumour aggression, and a definitive treatment paradigm for this condition remains undetermined. Our aim was to investigate the treatment and outcomes of keratinocyte cancer with incidental perineural invasion within two skin cancer databases to refine treatment protocols. METHODS: We retrospectively assessed the Queensland Perineural Invasion Registry for surgery, histopathology, adjuvant radiotherapy and recurrence of keratinocyte cancer five years post-definitive treatment. We also reviewed the Princess Alexandra Hospital Head and Neck clinical perineural invasion database, specifically looking at surgical margins and adjuvant radiotherapy of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) with incidental perineural invasion in the primary lesion. RESULTS: There was no recurrence at 5 years in the Perineural Invasion Registry. Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) lesions with nerves <0.1 mm were more commonly treated with surgery alone, compared to lesions with nerves ≥0.1 mm which were offered adjuvant radiotherapy. Of the total BCC lesions with incidental perineural invasion, those with perineural margins ≥5 mm and peripheral tumour margins ≥3 mm were predominantly treated with surgery alone. Eighty-nine per cent of cSCC lesions with incidental perineural invasion were treated with surgery and adjuvant radiotherapy. CONCLUSION: Surgery alone is suitable for BCC lesions with incidental perineural invasion. The majority of BCC lesions achieved ≥5 mm perineural and ≥3 mm peripheral tumour margins. Future research can guide if adjuvant radiation is required for BCC with perineural invasion. The treatment of cSCC with incidental perineural invasion with surgery alone remains undetermined.

Prevalence of Perineural Invasion in keratinocyte cancer in the general population and among organ transplant recipients.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) and cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) are the most commonly encountered cancers in fair-skinned populations worldwide. Perineural invasion is associated with worse outcomes for patients with BCC or SCC. Estimates of perineural invasion prevalence range widely, likely reflecting non-representative patient samples. We sought to determine the prevalence of perineural invasion in BCC and SCC in the general population, as well as among cancers arising in solid organ transplant recipients. METHODS: We retrospectively analysed histopathology reports of BCC and SCC from patients enrolled in the QSkin Study (a population-based cohort of 43 794 Queensland residents recruited 2010-2011) and the Skin Tumours in Allograft Recipients (STAR) study (a cohort of 509 high-risk kidney or liver transplant recipients at the Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, recruited 2012-2014.) We estimated the prevalence of perineural invasion (and 95% confidence interval) in BCC and SCC, respectively, and identified clinical factors associated with perineural invasion. RESULTS: In QSkin, we observed 35 instances of perineural invasion in 9850 histopathologically confirmed BCCs (0.36%) and 9 instances of perineural invasion in 3982 confirmed SCC (0.23%) lesions. In the STAR cohort, we identified 4 lesions with perineural invasion in 692 BCCs (0.58%) and 16 reports of perineural invasion in 875 SCC lesions (1.9%). CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that the overall prevalence of perineural invasion in keratinocyte cancer is low, although perineural invasion prevalence may be slightly higher among organ transplant recipients when compared to the general population.

Hereditary leiomyomatosis and renal cell cancer (HLRCC): cutaneous and renal manifestations requiring a multidisciplinary team approach.

Cutaneous leiomyomasare rare tumours of smooth muscle origin associated with disorders such as hereditary leiomyomatosis and renal cell cancer (HLRCC) syndrome. HLRCC is an autosomal dominant syndrome caused by loss of function mutations in the fumarate hydratase gene. Sufferers of this disorder are predisposed to the development of tumours of the skin and/or uterus, with a further subset of HLRCC families at risk of renal cell carcinoma with papillary features. This syndrome is rare and carries with it a significant rate of mortality. A multidisciplinary approach to care is critical in the management of these patients and their families. The dermatologist can play a central role in this process, coordinating care between specialist medical and allied health teams.

Skin protection behaviour and sex differences in melanoma location in patients with multiple primary melanomas.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Previous studies have shown that sunscreen usage, sun-protection measures and self-examination rates in patients with single primary melanomas (SPM) are similar to that in the general population. This study hypothesises that these rates would be different in a population with multiple primary melanomas (MPM). We further hypothesise that there would be a sex difference in melanoma location in patients with MPM. The objectives of this study were to determine skin protection measures, self-examinations and melanoma location in a cohort of patients with MPM. METHODS: A survey was conducted on 137 patients with MPM examining their sun-protection measures, skin self-examination rates and medical and phenotypic characteristics. These data were combined with a review of their medical records to examine the patients' skin cancer history. RESULTS: Patients with MPM had higher rates of skin self-evaluation (74% vs 22%), sunscreen usage (70% vs 45%) and other sun-protection measures (95% vs 46%) than has been published for patients with a history of a SPM. We have also shown that women have a higher risk of developing melanomas on their arms (p < 0.01) and lower legs (p < 0.05) than men. CONCLUSIONS: This report showed the rates of skin self-examination, sunscreen usage and other sun-protection methods in patients with MPM is higher than in studies of patients with SPM. It also highlighted sex differences in terms of melanoma location for patients with MPM. Further studies to examine the cause of the differences in these forms of protective behaviour could help improve the utilisation of these important preventative measures in all patients.