Toggle Main Menu Toggle Search

Open Access padlockePrints

The Newcastle University research output collection, currently available on ePrints, will shortly be moving to a new open repository platform, Figshare. To prepare for the data migration we have paused adding new content to ePrints, and will resume once the new repository is launched. During this time you will continue to have access to ePrints (but no new content will appear). We will share updates here when available.

Melanocytic tumours of uncertain malignant potential (MELTUMPs)—a diagnostic and management dilemma

Lookup NU author(s): Dr Cliff Lawrence

Downloads

Full text for this publication is not currently held within this repository. Alternative links are provided below where available.

Abstract

© 2014, Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg. Background: Melanocytic tumours of uncertain malignant potential (MELTUMPs) represent melanocytic proliferations within the dermis and are thereby associated with a potential risk of disease dissemination and metastases. However, there is a paucity of data regarding these lesions, their malignant potential and thus their management. Methods: This is a retrospective evaluation of all MELTUMPs treated in a single tertiary plastic surgery unit to establish patient demographics, clinical management and outcomes including recurrence and regional and distant metastases. Results: Forty-two patients were treated for MELTUMPs between 2005 and 2011 in our unit. The mean Breslow thickness was 0.85 mm (range in situ disease to 5 mm). A complete data set was available for 37 of these patients, of whom, 32 (86 %) underwent wider excision with a 1-cm margin and 5 (14 %) with 2-cm margin. The mean follow-up time was 23 months (range 2 to 48 months). One patient developed locally recurrent disease, one patient developed regional metastases and one patient died of metastatic disease. Conclusions: MELTUMPs present a diagnostic and management dilemma with a paucity of agreed strategies for ongoing patient care. We propose that all MELTUMPs should be treated using a melanoma strategy under the care of a skin cancer multidisciplinary team. Level of Evidence: Level IV, risk / prognostic study.

Publication metadata

Author(s): Green RJ, Taghizadeh R, Lewis CJ, Lawrence C, Husain A, Ahmed O

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: European Journal of Plastic Surgery

Year: 2014

Volume: 38

Issue: 1

Pages: 13-16

Print publication date: 01/02/2015

Online publication date: 31/10/2014

Acceptance date: 19/10/2014

ISSN (print): 0930-343X

ISSN (electronic): 1435-0130

Publisher: Springer Verlag

URL: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00238-014-1028-3

DOI: 10.1007/s00238-014-1028-3

Altmetrics

Altmetrics provided by Altmetric

Share