Long-term hazards of neonatal blue-light phototherapy.

Blue-light phototherapy has been an essential therapeutic tool in the management of neonatal jaundice for decades. Rarely, it is accompanied by acute dermatological and systemic side-effects, but fortunately these are reversible and can be adequately and promptly treated in routine neonatal practice. In contrast, much less is known about the potential long-term side-effects of neonatal blue-light phototherapy (NBLP). Many of the data that are currently available on how NBLP influences melanocytic naevus (MN) development are controversial. The results of recent well-designed epidemiological surveys suggest that NBLP could well be a risk factor for MN formation, and highlight the need for additional in vivo and in vitro studies. NBLP is at present the mainstay of treatment for neonatal jaundice, but in the future greater consideration should be given to its long-term side-effects when phototherapy is indicated. It is relevant to emphasize the importance of appropriately restricted and adequate clinical guidelines, and strict monitoring of the management of hyperbilirubinaemia, in order to avoid the unnecessary overtreatment of newborn infants.

Cutaneous dysplastic naevi in uveal melanoma patients: markers for prognosis?

We have previously reported that the presence of cutaneous dysplastic naevi is a risk factor for uveal melanoma. In the present study our goal was to determine the incidence of different histopathological features of uveal melanoma among 91 patients with or without cutaneous dysplastic naevi. Statistical analysis revealed that the presence of cutaneous dysplastic naevi in uveal melanoma patients is associated with an increased incidence of the prognostically worst forms of uveal melanoma (epithelioid or mixed cell type melanomas). The relative risk was 5.97 (95% confidence interval 1.61-22.14). Our results suggest that the presence of cutaneous dysplastic naevi is not only a risk factor but also a prognostic factor for uveal melanoma.

Dysplastic nevi are a risk factor for uveal melanoma.

Many studies have characterized the phenotypic features of individuals who are likely to develop cutaneous melanoma. One of the major items included in melanoma risk assessment has been the presence of clinically atypical nevi (dysplastic nevi). This study assessed the number of subjects with dysplastic nevi in groups of patients with uveal melanoma or cutaneous melanoma and in a group of volunteer controls. The SPSS program was used to calculate the odds ratios (hereafter called relative risks; RR) and 95% confidence intervals (C) in melanoma patients and controls. The RR was 4.36 for uveal melanoma (95% Cl 1.84-10.36) and 4.22 for cutaneous melanoma (95% Cl 1.81-9.84). These results suggest that cutaneous dysplastic nevi are a significant risk factor for uveal melanoma.