Melanoma Screening

An update of a recent research review and consensus surrounding melanoma screening has been released. Here is the summary:

Melanoma Screening Consensus Statement Offers Greater Clarity Roxanne Nelson, RN, BSN March 15, 2023

Detecting melanoma early, when it is easier to treat, remains a “paramount goal but guidelines surrounding optimal melanoma screening practices and diagnostic evaluations need greater clarity.
A risk-stratified (based on the risk level) approach is likely the most appropriate strategy for melanoma screening and follow-up, and supported the use of visual and dermoscopic examination
Consensus on the role for gene expression profile (GEP) testing in clinical decision-making, need to be validated in large randomized clinical trials.
Focusing melanoma screening on higher-risk populations may be cost-effective compared with population-based screening
Higher risked individuals include; 1/ severe skin damage from the sun; 2/ systemic immunosuppression; 3/ personal history of any skin cancer
Visual and dermoscopic examination was appropriate for evaluating patients with “no new, changing, or unusual skin lesions or with a new lesion that is not visually concerning.”
The panelists also reached consensus that lesions deemed clinically suspicious for cancer or showing features of cancer on reflectance confocal microscopy should be biopsied.

Consensus Statement March 15, 2023 Early Detection and Prognostic Assessment of Cutaneous Melanoma Consensus on Optimal Practice and the Role of Gene Expression Profile Testing Mohammed Kashani-Sabet, MD¹; Sancy A. Leachman, MD, PhD²; Jennifer A. Stein, MD, PhD³; et alJack L. Arbiser, MD, PhD⁴; Elizabeth G. Berry, MD²; Julide T. Celebi, MD³; Clara Curiel-Lewandrowski, MD⁵; et al

Author Affiliations JAMA Dermatol.Published online March 15, 2023. Doi:10.1001/jamadermatol.2023.0127

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