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Lentigo maligno: manifestaciones clínicas, diagnóstico y


tratamiento
Autores: Arthur J Sober, médico, Suzanne Olbricht, MD, Angela M Hong, MBBS, MMed, PhD, FRANZCR
Editor de sección: Hensin Tsao, MD, PhD
Editor adjunto: Rosamaria Corona, MD, DSc

Todos los temas se actualizan a medida que se dispone de nueva evidencia y se completa nuestro proceso de revisión por
pares .

Revisión de la literatura vigente hasta: agosto de 2020. | Este tema se actualizó por última vez: 07 de noviembre de
2019.

INTRODUCCIÓN

El lentigo maligno (LM) es un tipo de melanoma in situ que suele aparecer en la piel dañada por el sol de
la cara y el cuello de las personas mayores [ 1 ]. LM evoluciona lentamente durante muchos años y
puede progresar a melanoma lentigo maligno invasivo (LMM). "Peca melanótica de Hutchinson" y
"melanosis circumscripta precancerosa de Dubreuilh" son sinónimos de LM [ 2 , 3 ].

Este tema discutirá las características clínicas, el diagnóstico y el tratamiento de la ML. LMM se analiza
por separado. (Consulte "Melanoma: características clínicas y diagnóstico", sección sobre "Melanoma
lentigo maligno" y "Características patológicas del melanoma", sección sobre "Melanoma lentigo
maligno" ).

EPIDEMIOLOGÍA E HISTORIA NATURAL

El lentigo maligno (LM) suele aparecer en personas mayores, con un pico de incidencia entre los 65 y
los 80 años [ 4,5 ]. La incidencia de ML parece estar aumentando en los grupos de edad más jóvenes.
Un estudio informó un aumento del 52 por ciento en la tasa de incidencia de ML entre hombres y
mujeres de 45 a 64 años entre 1990 y 2000 en los Estados Unidos [ 6 ]. Otro estudio de población
informó un aumento en la incidencia de 2,2 por 100.000 por año entre 1970 y 1989 a 13,7 por 100.000
por año entre 2004 y 2007 en los Estados Unidos [ 7 ]. El riesgo de LM y melanoma lentigo maligno
(LMM) es mayor en personas de piel clara con marcadores de daño cutáneo actínico (lentigos solares y
queratosis actínicas) y antecedentes de cáncer de piel no melanoma [ 8,9 ].

La ML es una lesión de evolución lenta y a menudo se diagnostica años o décadas después de su


aparición inicial. En algunas lesiones, puede producirse una regresión central parcial mientras que el

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margen periférico continúa extendiéndose [ 10,11 ]. El tiempo hasta la progresión de LM a LMM invasivo
varía de menos de 10 a más de 50 años [ 10,12 ].

Se calculó que el riesgo de por vida de progresión de LM a LMM es aproximadamente del 5 por ciento [
13 ]. Sin embargo, estos datos son antiguos y, en algunas series, se encontró que hasta el 20 por ciento
de los pacientes sometidos a escisión por ML tenían enfermedad invasiva [ 14-17 ].

CARACTERÍSTICAS CLÍNICAS

El lentigo maligno (LM) generalmente se presenta como una lesión macular atípica, pigmentada,
localizada en la piel de la cabeza o el cuello severamente dañada por el sol. Las características clínicas
de LM incluyen ( imagen 1A-E ):

● Forma irregular
● Color variable, desde marrón claro o tostado hasta marrón oscuro, negro, rosa, rojo o blanco.
● Tamaño variable, desde menos de uno hasta varios centímetros
● Superficie lisa y no escamosa

Las áreas rosadas o blancas indican inflamación o regresión. La nariz, las mejillas y las orejas están
involucradas preferentemente. Con poca frecuencia, la ML se produce en ubicaciones distintas de la
cabeza y el cuello, como la parte superior de la espalda, los antebrazos, el dorso de las manos y las
piernas [ 18,19 ]. La piel circundante suele mostrar evidencia de daño solar crónico (elastosis solar,
lentigos solares o queratosis actínica). Las fronteras pueden estar mal definidas. La LM amelanótica es
rara [ 20 ].

El desarrollo de pigmentación más oscura, bordes más nítidos o áreas elevadas o nodulares son signos
clínicos de progresión a melanoma lentigo maligno (LMM) ( imagen 2A-D ). En raras ocasiones, un
melanoma desmoplásico puede desarrollarse dentro de un ML, presentándose como una placa, nódulo
o firmeza subcutánea palpable que puede tener una sensación similar a una cicatriz [ 21 ]. (Consulte
"Características patológicas del melanoma", sección sobre "Melanoma desmoplásico" ).

CARACTERÍSTICAS DERMOSCÓPICAS

En las lesiones cutáneas no faciales y no volares, la presencia de una red de pigmento, que se
correlaciona con el patrón de crestas rete de la piel, se asocia comúnmente con neoplasias
melanocíticas. La calidad y distribución de esta red pueden ayudar a diferenciar los nevos del melanoma
[ 22 ]. (Consulte "Descripción general de la dermatoscopia" y "Evaluación dermatoscópica de las
lesiones cutáneas" ).

Debido a las características únicas de la piel del rostro (ausencia o aplanamiento de las crestas rete y
aumento del número y prominencia de folículos pilosos y ostia de las glándulas sudoríparas), las
lesiones pigmentadas que ocurren en la cara no muestran una red de pigmento cuando se examinan
con un dermatoscopio. Por el contrario, la distribución de la pigmentación alrededor de los folículos

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pilosos prominentes forma una pseudorred que se observa tanto en las lesiones melanocíticas como en
las no melanocíticas (p. Ej., Queratosis seborreica) [ 23 ]. (Ver "Dermatoscopia de lesiones faciales" ).

Dado que la pseudorred no discrimina las lesiones melanocíticas de las no melanocíticas, se utilizan
otros criterios dermatoscópicos para el diagnóstico de lesiones faciales. Los pseudoquistes del cuerno,
las áreas amarillas opacas, las estructuras similares a huellas dactilares, el patrón apolillado y el signo
de gelatina sugieren lentigo solar o queratosis seborreica plana, mientras que las características que se
observan con mayor frecuencia en el lentigo maligno (LM) y el lentigo maligno melanoma (LMM)
incluyen ( imagen 3A-F ) [ 24 ]:

● Aberturas foliculares pigmentadas asimétricas (pseudorred atípica) ( figura 3E ).

● Líneas anguladas (generalmente de color gris) que pueden fusionarse para formar polígonos,
siendo la forma más común las estructuras romboidales ( imagen 4 ).

● Patrón anular-granular que consiste en aberturas foliculares pigmentadas asimétricas y / o puntos /


gránulos / glóbulos grises que rodean las aberturas ostiales ( imagen 3A ).

● Ocasionalmente, el círculo dentro de un círculo también se puede ver en LM ( imagen 3C ).

● Seudorred gris.

● Zonas grises.

● Puntos y glóbulos grises.

● Manchas oscuras entre las aberturas ostiales o que borran por completo las aberturas ostiales.

Muchas de las características observadas en la ML también pueden observarse en la queratosis actínica


pigmentada, que se cree que es una colisión entre un lentigo solar y una queratosis actínica [ 25 ]. Si
bien las características dermatoscópicas sutiles pueden ayudar a diferenciar una queratosis actínica de
una ML, la palpación de la lesión también puede ayudar. La queratosis actínica pigmentada tendrá una
textura rugosa, mientras que la LM suele tener una textura suave. (Ver "Dermatoscopia de lesiones
faciales", sección sobre 'Lentigo maligno y lentigo maligno melanoma' ).

Un estudio encontró que cuatro características dermatoscópicas tienen alta sensibilidad y especificidad
(89 y 96 por ciento, respectivamente) para el diagnóstico de LM o LMM ( imagen 5A-B ) [ 26 ]:

● Aberturas foliculares pigmentadas y asimétricas (pseudorred atípica)

● Estructuras romboidales

● Glóbulos grises

● Puntos grises

Otro estudio encontró que, independientemente del patrón dermatoscópico específico observado en una
lesión, la presencia de color gris, visto en aproximadamente el 90 por ciento de los casos, era el criterio
más importante en el diagnóstico de ML [ 27 ]. Sin embargo, a pesar de tener una alta sensibilidad, el
color gris carece de especificidad, ya que también se puede ver en la queratosis tipo liquen plano ( figura
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6 ) y la queratosis actínica pigmentada ( figura 7 ). (Ver "Dermatoscopia de lesiones faciales", sección


sobre "Queratosis tipo liquen plano" ).

Aunque la dermatoscopia es útil en el diagnóstico clínico de lesiones faciales benignas, como lentigos
solares y queratosis seborreica, la biopsia y la evaluación histopatológica siguen siendo el estándar de
oro para el diagnóstico de LM o queratosis actínica pigmentada. Las lesiones que muestran
características dermatoscópicas sospechosas de ML deben ser biopsiadas para confirmación
histopatológica. Para lesiones grandes de ML que requieren biopsia incisional para el diagnóstico inicial,
la dermatoscopia puede ser útil para seleccionar áreas con los hallazgos más atípicos para la biopsia.
Alternativamente, también se pueden utilizar biopsias por sacabocados múltiples (biopsias de
exploración). (Consulte 'Biopsia y examen histológico' a continuación).

CARACTERISTICAS HISTOPATOLOGICAS

Histológicamente, el lentigo maligno (LM) es un melanoma in situ que se caracteriza por un mayor
número de melanocitos atípicos, a menudo fusiformes, dispuestos en células individuales o en pequeños
nidos a lo largo de la unión dermoepidérmica, que a menudo se extienden hacia la porción infundibular
de los folículos pilosos ( imagen 8A -B ) [ 28 ]. La atipia melanocítica varía desde melanocitos casi
normales a multinucleados o melanocitos con procesos dendríticos [ 29 ]. Pueden observarse artefactos
de retracción del citoplasma. (Consulte "Características patológicas del melanoma", sección sobre
"Melanoma in situ" ).

Es de destacar que la ML puede ser bastante sutil desde el punto de vista histológico y, a menudo, es
difícil de distinguir de la hiperplasia melanocítica actínica. La presencia de anidación melanocítica, la
confluencia de> 3 melanocitos a lo largo de la unión dermoepidérmica y la diseminación pagetoide son
pistas diagnósticas útiles.

Los cambios del daño solar crónico suelen coexistir, que incluyen elastosis, atrofia de la epidermis,
borramiento de las crestas de las retas e infiltrado dérmico inflamatorio [ 12 ]. Determinar el margen
histológicamente claro de LM es particularmente difícil porque la transición entre LM e hiperplasia
melanocítica de la piel dañada por el sol es a menudo sutil. Una muestra de biopsia de piel de
apariencia normal pero dañada por el sol, tomada como control, puede ayudar en esta distinción, ya que
proporciona una referencia para el nivel de fondo de hiperplasia melanocítica en un individuo dado [ 30 ].

Se recomienda la inmunotinción con un anticuerpo nuclear, como Sox10 o factor de transcripción de


microftalmia (MITF), para evaluar con precisión la celularidad y la morfología nuclear; Las tinciones que
se dirigen a los antígenos citoplasmáticos, como HMB-45 y Melan-A, pueden sobrestimar la celularidad
de la lesión [ 31,32 ].

DIAGNÓSTICO

Examen clínico y dermatoscópico . El diagnóstico del lentigo maligno (LM) se basa en el examen
clínico, dermatoscópico e histológico [ 33 ]. (Consulte 'Características clínicas' arriba y 'Características
dermatoscópicas' arriba y 'Características histopatológicas' arriba).
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El diagnóstico clínico de ML en una etapa temprana puede ser difícil incluso para el dermatólogo
experimentado. En la exploración clínica, el reconocimiento de ML a menudo se complica por la
presencia de múltiples lesiones que son similares en apariencia, que incluyen lentigos solares,
queratosis seborreicas planas y queratosis actínicas pigmentadas.

La dermatoscopia puede ser útil para diferenciar la ML temprana de las lesiones pigmentadas benignas
que ocurren en la piel dañada por el sol, como las queratosis seborreicas y los lentigos solares. Sin
embargo, diferenciar una queratosis actínica pigmentada de una ML mediante dermatoscopia es difícil y
no siempre posible. Las queratosis actínicas pigmentadas son una variante rara de la queratosis actínica
que comparte características clínicas y dermatoscópicas con la ML. (Consulte 'Características
dermatoscópicas' arriba y 'Diagnóstico diferencial' a continuación).

Reflectancia microscopía confocal - Reflectancia microscopía confocal (RCM), también llamado


microscopía láser de barrido confocal, es una técnica no invasiva, complejo para la formación de
imágenes de la piel humana, con la resolución celular del estrato córneo a aproximadamente el nivel de
la dermis papilar. La RCM se ha evaluado en un pequeño número de pacientes para diferenciar la ML de
otras lesiones pigmentadas de la cara [ 34-37 ]. En un estudio que comparó la precisión diagnóstica de
RCM y dermatoscopia en la evaluación de 223 lesiones faciales, RCM fue más sensible que la
dermatoscopia para el diagnóstico de LM y melanoma lentigo maligno (LMM; 80 versus 61 por ciento)
pero menos específico (81 versus 92 por ciento) ) [ 38]. Además, RCM mostró una mayor sensibilidad
que la dermatoscopia para el diagnóstico de LM / LMM hipomelanótico y recurrente (69 frente al 37 por
ciento).

En estudios preliminares, la RCM también se ha utilizado para el mapeo de márgenes preoperatorios de


ML con resultados prometedores [ 39,40 ]. Sin embargo, la RCM sólo está disponible en instituciones
dermatológicas especializadas, requiere formación especializada y los datos sobre su precisión
diagnóstica son limitados [ 41 ].

Biopsia y examen histológico : la biopsia es necesaria para establecer el diagnóstico de ML. La


biopsia por escisión con márgenes estrechos es ideal, aunque en algunos casos puede ser adecuado un
saucerizado (afeitado profundo). Dado que las células melanocíticas anormales pueden extenderse por
la adventicia de los folículos pilosos, un afeitado más superficial no es adecuado para un diagnóstico
preciso, ya que puede no incluir esta área para la evaluación y, por lo tanto, carece de información sobre
si existe una extensión o invasión folicular profunda. . Según las directrices de la National
Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN), una biopsia por raspado amplio puede ayudar a optimizar el
diagnóstico preciso [ 42 ].

Para las ML que son amplias y están ubicadas en sitios cosméticamente sensibles, se puede realizar
una biopsia parcial (biopsia por punción o por incisión). Sin embargo, pueden ocurrir errores de
muestreo considerables con biopsias parciales porque los hallazgos histopatológicos pueden variar
dentro de la lesión. Se ha informado evidencia de invasión dérmica en hasta el 20 por ciento de las
muestras con un diagnóstico preoperatorio de ML en la biopsia inicial [ 14-17 ]. Es posible que se
necesiten múltiples biopsias de exploración para lesiones grandes.

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La elección del lugar o sitios para la biopsia por incisión se basa en el examen clínico, la dermatoscopia
y, cuando esté disponible, la MCR [ 43 ]. Las áreas más irregulares o muy pigmentadas identificadas por
examen clínico y / o dermatoscópico y cualquier área palpable o engrosada son los sitios de biopsia
preferidos. Es una buena práctica indicar en la solicitud de patología que se realizó una biopsia parcial
de una lesión más grande. (Consulte 'Características dermatoscópicas' más arriba).

Histológicamente, la sustitución de los queratinocitos basales por melanocitos atípicos con cambios de
fondo de daño solar crónico (atrofia epidérmica, borramiento de las crestas rete e infiltrado dérmico
inflamatorio) es diagnóstico de ML. Las características microscópicas de lentigo solar benigno,
queratosis actínica, LM y LMM pueden coexistir en la misma lesión. (Consulte 'Características
histopatológicas' más arriba).

DIAGNÓSTICO DIFERENCIAL

El lentigo maligno (LM) debe diferenciarse de otras lesiones melanocíticas y no melanocíticas, que
incluyen:

● Léntigo solar: los lentigos solares son lesiones maculares con márgenes irregulares y pigmentación
marrón uniforme. Los lentigos solares se observan comúnmente en los sitios de exposición solar
crónica (cara, dorso de las manos) de personas mayores con piel clara y antecedentes de
exposición solar excesiva ( imagen 9A-B ). A diferencia de los lentigos solares, las lesiones
maculares de LM tienden a ser más oscuras e irregularmente pigmentadas. En la dermatoscopia,
los lentigos solares muestran estructuras de huellas dactilares débiles, pigmentadas ( imagen 10 ) o
un patrón sin estructura, mientras que las LM exhiben una variedad de características
dermatoscópicas relacionadas con las estructuras foliculares e interfoliculares ( imagen 3A-F) y
tonos de gris. Histológicamente, el lentigo solar se caracteriza por acantosis con elongación regular
de las crestas rete e hiperpigmentación, y aumento leve o nulo de melanocitos citológicamente
benignos localizados basalmente sin anidación ni confluencia. (Ver "Lesiones cutáneas
pigmentadas benignas distintas de los nevos melanocíticos (lunares)", sección sobre ' Lentigo solar'
y "Dermatoscopia de lesiones faciales", sección sobre 'Lentigo solar' ).

● Queratosis actínica pigmentada: queratosis actínica pigmentada que se presenta como máculas
o parches escamosos e hiperpigmentados que se presentan en la piel expuesta al sol de individuos
adultos con tez clara. Las queratosis actínicas pigmentadas son difíciles de diferenciar de la ML a
simple vista o mediante examen dermatoscópico ( imagen 11 ). Histológicamente, hay una
proliferación de queratinocitos atípicos que se extienden desde la capa basal hacia arriba, con
aumento de melanina en la epidermis inferior y melanófagos dérmicos. (Consulte "Epidemiología,
historia natural y diagnóstico de la queratosis actínica", sección sobre "Características clínicas" y
"Epidemiología, historia natural y diagnóstico de la queratosis actínica", sección sobre "Patología" ).

● Queratosis seborreica - Las queratosis seborreicas son tumores queratinocíticos benignos


comunes que se presentan como lesiones maculares o elevadas, con pigmentación marrón variable
y una superficie verrugosa ( imagen 12 ). El examen dermatoscópico es útil para diferenciar la
queratosis seborreica de la ML. Los patrones dermatoscópicos característicos que se observan en

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las queratosis seborreicas incluyen bordes apolillados ( imagen 13 ), quistes en forma de milia (
imagen 14 ), aberturas en forma de comedón ( imagen 15 ) y fisuras y crestas ( imagen 16 ).
Histológicamente, las queratosis seborreicas muestran una proliferación de queratinocitos normales
y algunas variantes (p. Ej., Melanoacantoma) pueden mostrar un mayor número de melanocitos.
(Ver"Descripción general de las lesiones benignas de la piel", sección sobre 'Queratosis seborreica'
.)

● Melanoma lentigo maligno: el melanoma lentigo maligno (LMM) resulta de la progresión de LM a


la fase invasiva. Clínicamente se presenta como un parche hiperpigmentado, con focos o nódulos
más oscuros y asimétricos ( figura 2C-D ). En la dermatoscopia, la presencia de estructuras
romboidales pigmentadas ( figura 4 ) y manchas de color gris negruzco sin estructura
correspondientes a folículos pilosos obliterados ( figura 17 ) son pistas para el diagnóstico de LMM.
Histológicamente, los melanocitos neoplásicos se disponen a lo largo de la unión dermoepidérmica
en un patrón lentiginoso y forman nidos a lo largo de la unión dermoepidérmica y nódulos o
fascículos en la dermis ( imagen 18 ). (Ver"Características patológicas del melanoma", sección
sobre 'Melanoma lentigo maligno' .)

ADMINISTRACIÓN

Descripción general : aunque existe alguna variación en el enfoque de tratamiento para el lentigo
maligno (ML) entre los médicos, la escisión quirúrgica es la opción preferida para la mayoría [ 44,45 ].
Sin embargo, los márgenes de escisión óptimos para la ML no se han evaluado en ensayos
aleatorizados [ 46 ]. Las guías nacionales e internacionales recomiendan la escisión estándar con
márgenes de 5 a 10 mm como tratamiento de primera línea para todos los tipos de melanoma in situ,
incluido el ML [ 42,47-53 ]:

● Las directrices australianas sobre melanoma de 2018 establecen que el melanoma in situ debe
extirparse con márgenes de 5 a 10 mm, con el objetivo de lograr un aclaramiento histológico
completo y que deben evaluarse y declararse los aclaramientos mínimos de todos los márgenes [
50 ].

● Las directrices de 2018 de la Academia Estadounidense de Dermatología, así como las directrices
de la Red Nacional Integral del Cáncer (NCCN), establecen que la ML puede requerir márgenes de
escisión de 5 a 10 mm para lograr márgenes histológicamente negativos [ 42,54 ].

● Las guías interdisciplinarias basadas en consenso europeo de 2016 también recomiendan un


margen de escisión mínimo de 5 mm [ 51 ].

Las técnicas quirúrgicas adicionales que se utilizan con frecuencia en la práctica clínica incluyen
escisiones por etapas y cirugía micrográfica de Mohs (MMS). Estos permiten una evaluación completa
de los márgenes sin afectar el tejido normal.

Los tratamientos no quirúrgicos alternativos para la ML incluyen radioterapia (RT) y terapia


inmunomoduladora tópica con imiquimod . Las terapias no quirúrgicas pueden ser apropiadas en
pacientes mayores y frágiles con grandes lesiones de la cara que no se pueden resecar con márgenes
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adecuados, cuando se prevé una reconstrucción problemática y en aquellos que rechazan la cirugía.
Ninguna de estas modalidades de tratamiento se ha comparado con la cirugía en ensayos aleatorizados.
(Consulte 'Terapias no quirúrgicas' a continuación).

Cirugía : para la mayoría de los pacientes con ML, sugerimos la escisión quirúrgica en lugar de
terapias no quirúrgicas como tratamiento de primera línea. Las técnicas quirúrgicas que se pueden
utilizar para la ML incluyen la escisión local amplia con márgenes de al menos 5 a 10 mm y la escisión
por etapas con secciones permanentes rápidas ("Mohs lento"), que permite una evaluación
histopatológica completa de los márgenes quirúrgicos. La cirugía de Mohs también puede ser una
opción para LM. Sin embargo, la evaluación del margen de LM con secciones congeladas puede resultar
problemática [ 55 ]. La elección de la técnica quirúrgica se basa en el tamaño y la ubicación de la lesión,
la consideración de los resultados estéticos y funcionales y la experiencia clínica.

Delimitación de los márgenes de la lesión : antes de la escisión quirúrgica, es importante evaluar


la extensión de la ML y delinear los márgenes de la lesión con la mayor precisión posible. Los métodos
utilizados para el mapeo preliminar de los márgenes incluyen el examen con una lámpara de Wood, la
realización de múltiples biopsias de exploración y, cuando estén disponibles, el uso de microscopía
confocal [ 39,56,57 ]. (Consulte 'Microscopía confocal de reflectancia' más arriba).

Escisión local amplia : por lo general, realizamos una escisión estándar profunda hasta la grasa
subcutánea para lesiones pequeñas del LM (<1 cm) con bordes bien delimitados ubicados en la frente o
mejillas, con márgenes de al menos 5 mm y hasta 10 mm si es posible. dependiendo de la ubicación
específica de la lesión y la consideración de preservación y desfiguración de la función. Para lesiones de
cualquier tamaño en el cuello o en la parte superior del tórax, realizamos una escisión estándar con
márgenes de 10 mm.

Los márgenes de escisión óptimos para la ML no se han evaluado en ensayos aleatorizados [ 46 ].


Múltiples estudios que utilizan técnicas quirúrgicas que permiten un examen completo de los márgenes
(p. Ej., Escisión por etapas o cirugía de Mohs) indican que los márgenes de 5 o 6 mm proporcionan
tasas de aclaramiento que oscilan entre el 24 y el 84 por ciento, mientras que se pueden requerir
márgenes de 7 a 15 mm para lograr tasas de aclaramiento del 94 al 99 por ciento [ 16,58-63 ]. Un
estudio prospectivo de 1506 casos de LM y 829 melanomas in situ tratados con cirugía de Mohs
encontró que tanto el LM como el melanoma in situ localizado en la cabeza y el cuello requerían un
margen de 12 mm para obtener una eliminación completa en el 97 por ciento de los tumores, mientras
que un margen de 9 mm el margen fue suficiente para despejar lesiones en el tronco y las extremidades
[ 63]. Sólo el 79 por ciento de LM y el 83 por ciento de melanoma in situ se extirparon por completo con
un margen de 6 mm.

Algunos estudios retrospectivos han informado tasas de recurrencia para la escisión estándar del 6 al 9
por ciento después de un tiempo medio de seguimiento de 5 a 10 años [ 64-67 ].

Escisión por etapas : preferimos la escisión por etapas con secciones permanentes rápidas ("Mohs
lento") a la escisión local amplia para LM grandes (> 1 cm) o lesiones clínicamente mal definidas
ubicadas en la frente y mejillas y lesiones de cualquier tamaño ubicadas en el área H (también llamada
"área de máscara") de la cara, que incluye la cara central, párpados, cejas, periorbitario, nariz, labios,

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mentón, mandíbula, preauricular, posauricular, sien y oreja ( figura 1). Las lesiones grandes (> 2 cm) en
el tronco o las extremidades con márgenes mal definidos, que ocurren en áreas de marcado daño solar
con pigmentación moteada, también pueden beneficiarse de la escisión por etapas. Si bien el
dermatólogo a menudo puede realizar la reconstrucción en un entorno ambulatorio, algunas heridas o
pacientes pueden requerir cirugía reconstructiva realizada bajo anestesia general en la sala de
operaciones.

Algunos expertos consideran que la escisión por etapas es la técnica quirúrgica óptima para la ML, ya
que permite la evaluación de los márgenes quirúrgicos de una manera integral similar a la cirugía de
Mohs, pero se basa en secciones permanentes en lugar de secciones congeladas. Las secciones
permanentes requieren un tiempo de procesamiento más prolongado que las secciones congeladas; sin
embargo, las lecturas rápidas generalmente se pueden obtener en menos de 24 horas.

Después de delinear los márgenes clínicos del ML, se dibuja un margen quirúrgico de 5 mm alrededor
de la lesión ( figura 2 ). La lesión clínica macroscópica ("citorreducción del tumor") se extirpa hasta la
dermis profunda, se orienta y se envía al laboratorio como una muestra fresca o se coloca en un frasco
de formalina. Luego, los márgenes se extirpan hasta la dermis profunda, se dividen, se marcan para
preservar la orientación y se colocan en frascos de formalina etiquetados individualmente. El tejido de
citorreducción del tumor se secciona en serie de varias formas (múltiples secciones verticales de "pan
de molde" o secciones radiales) y se examina en busca de melanoma invasivo [ 68-72]. The peripheral
margins are inked with the same color consistently applied to the outer surface (true outer surgical
margin). Each segment of the peripheral margin is sectioned vertically "en face" to allow the examination
of the entire true margin. The permanent sections are evaluated by a dermatopathologist experienced in
pigmented lesions. Some consulting pathologists prefer to receive an inked intact specimen, which they
evaluate by the radial technique. It is important to have excellent communication between the surgeon
and the pathologist on these cases. After the pathologist has examined the specimen histologically, the
margin status and location of residual melanoma in situ is then communicated to the surgeon. The
patient returns 24 to 48 hours later for reexcision of involved margins, and the process is repeated until
negative peripheral margins are achieved. Reconstruction of the defect is then performed.

The wound is managed during the intervening time period by standard dressings. Electrocautery is
performed to stop bleeding, and then the wound is cleaned with sterile saline or soap and water.
Petrolatum is applied to the wound, then it is covered with nonadherent dressing and secured by tape.
We usually surmount this simple dressing with a pressure bandage constructed with rolled gauze,
secured by tape. Large wounds do well with application of a sterile gauze impregnated with bismuth and
petrolatum. The patient does not need to change the bandage since they will be returning for either
further excision or repair of the defect. Deferring reconstruction is not harmful to the end result and has in
fact been shown to be associated with fewer postoperative complications when repair is done with a full-
thickness skin graft [73].

There are several variations of the staged excision, including the "square procedure," perimeter,
contoured, spaghetti, and serial disk techniques [74-79]. In some of these techniques, the margin
specimens are cut en face in vertical sections that contain 100 percent of the peripheral margins. These
techniques generally deal with the margins first, leaving the center part of the lesion in situ until the

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margins are clear. While the patient may be somewhat more comfortable in the intervening period without
a large wound, there is a 10 to 20 percent risk of identifying invasive lentigo maligna melanoma (LMM)
requiring deeper excision only at the end of the process [14-17].

Recurrence rates of 0 to 6 percent have been reported after staged excision at a mean follow-up time of
23 to 138 months [15,67-71,77,79-81].

Mohs micrographic surgery — Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) is a technique that involves a
beveled excision of the tumor with a margin of normal-appearing tissue using a scalpel angled at 45
degrees to the skin surface. MMS uses frozen horizontal sections that allow for examination of the entire
peripheral and deep margins of the tumor with maximal preservation of uninvolved tissue and is
especially useful for the treatment of nonmelanoma skin cancers in cosmetically sensitive areas. (See
"Mohs surgery".)

We do not perform Mohs surgery with frozen section for the treatment of LM. Differentiating atypical
melanocytic hyperplasia from benign melanocytic hyperplasia or actinic keratinocytic damage is difficult
on frozen section and requires considerable experience in MMS and high-quality frozen sections [82].
Rapid immunostaining with MART-1 or Mel-5 may help in identifying the melanocytes on frozen sections
and appears to provide information similar to that obtained from permanent sections [83-85]. Some Mohs
surgeons, after a final negative frozen layer, excise an additional margin of 1 to 3 mm and send it for
permanent sections. Some also send the central debulking specimen for permanent vertical sections for
a more accurate staging of the tumor.

In one study including 116 patients with LM, 5 percent of margins that were negative on frozen sections
were positive on permanent sections [86]. In a review of 173 cases with an initial diagnosis of LM or
melanoma in situ and treated with MMS, the examination of permanent sections of the central debulking
specimens led to an upstaging of the tumor in 14 (8 percent) of cases [87]. In another review of LM and
LMM cases treated with a staged excision technique with rush paraffin-embedded sections, 15 of 91
cases (16 percent) that were initially diagnosed as LM were found to be invasive melanomas [16].

Recurrence rates of 0 to 2 percent have been reported for LM excised by MMS after a follow-up time of
29 to 44 months [64,83,88-91].

Nonsurgical therapies

Overview — Nonsurgical therapy for LM should only be considered under select clinical
circumstances: in older, frail patients in whom surgical excision is not feasible; when problematic
reconstruction is anticipated; and in patients who decline surgery [54]. Alternatives to surgery include
radiotherapy, topical imiquimod, cryosurgery, and laser therapy. As the risk of evolution into invasive
melanoma is low and generally takes many years, it may be appropriate to closely monitor patients of
advanced age with significant comorbidities rather than pursue immediate treatment.

Nonsurgical techniques have not been evaluated in randomized trials. One study reviewed 1086 cases of
melanoma in situ treated with surgery or nonsurgical interventions. Overall, 721 cases involved the head
or neck. The five-year recurrence rate was 6.8 percent for surgical excision and 31 percent for
radiotherapy, laser therapy, and cryosurgery combined as a single category [92]. An international

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randomized trial comparing RT with imiquimod is being conducted by the Australia and New Zealand
Trials Group in patients with LM in whom surgery is not suitable. The primary endpoint of the trial is the
treatment failure rate at six months after completion of treatment.

Drawbacks of nonsurgical therapies include:

● Lack of histologic examination of the entire tumor for foci of dermal invasion not evident at the initial
biopsy. In a series of 117 LM and LMM treated with staged excision, unsuspected invasive
melanoma was found in 16 percent of specimens initially diagnosed as LM [16].

● Lack of histologic margin control.

● Post-treatment monitoring based upon clinical examination or random biopsies that may not show
tumor persistence or recurrence.

Radiation therapy — Radiation therapy (RT) is not commonly used as a primary therapy for LM.
However, RT may be a treatment option for older patients who have large LM lesions and for whom
surgical removal would not be feasible (picture 19); RT can also be used as adjuvant treatment in
patients with positive margins following surgical excision when further surgical resection is not feasible
[42,93]. Data on the use of RT in LM are mainly derived from retrospective series using various
definitions of local control with variable follow-up periods [94,95].

In an Australian review of eight retrospective, single-institution studies including 349 patients with LM
treated primarily with RT, the overall recurrence rate was 5 percent after a median follow-up of three
years [93]. Progression to LMM occurred in 1.4 percent of patients. In another series of 593 patients with
LMs and early LMM treated with Grenz rays as primary therapy, partial surgical removal followed by RT
alone, and wide excision followed by postoperative RT, the clearance rates were 83, 90, and 97 percent,
respectively, after a median follow-up time of approximately five years [94].

In a systematic review of 10 studies on radiotherapy, the reported complete response rates varied
between 80 to 100 percent. Combining the data of 454 patients from the 10 studies, there were 52 local
recurrences and, therefore, a recurrence rate of 11.5 percent after RT [95].

The NCCN guidelines suggest potential regimens of 64 to 70 Gy in 32 to 35 fractions over six to seven
weeks, 50 to 57 Gy in 20 to 23 fractions in four to five weeks, or 35 Gy in 5 fractions over four to five
weeks [42]. A typical dose is 50 to 54 Gy in 2 Gy fractions with superficial energy radiation treating to a
depth of 5 mm. (See "Radiation therapy in the management of melanoma", section on 'Cutaneous
primary lesions'.)

In Europe, low energy Grenz rays (12 kV) or soft x-rays (20 to 50 kV) delivered at a depth of
approximately 1 mm have been used for the treatment of LM and LMM. In one study, low energy (12 kV)
Grenz rays (total dose 100 to 120 Gy in 10 to 12 fractions given at three- to four-day intervals) delivered
at a depth of approximately 1 mm were used in 93 patients with LM with a recurrence rate of 5.4 percent
after a mean time of 46 months [5].

Topical imiquimod — Imiquimod 5% cream is approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for
the treatment of actinic keratoses, superficial basal cell carcinomas, and warts. It has been used off label

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as primary treatment for LM in patients in whom surgery is not feasible or as adjuvant therapy after
narrow-margin surgical resection or incomplete histologic resection [96]. The mechanism of action
proposed is that imiquimod induces a local inflammatory response of T helper lymphocytes mixed with
cytotoxic cells, monocytes, and macrophages, leading to a cytotoxic T cell-mediated immune response
against the tumor [97].

Several systematic reviews of retrospective case series and a few randomized and nonrandomized
studies support the use of imiquimod in patients with LM who are poor surgical candidates based on
reported clinical and histopathologic response rates of over 70 percent [95,96,98,99]. However, the
optimal frequency of application and duration of treatment with imiquimod have not been determined
[100].

A 2017 systematic review of 40 observational studies and one randomized trial including 509 patients
with LM treated with topical imiquimod one to seven times per week for 4 to 36 weeks found a complete
clinical clearance rate of 78.3 percent [99]. Post-treatment histopathologic examination performed in 370
patients demonstrated histopathologic clearance in 77 percent. The recurrence rate was 2.2 percent after
a mean follow-up period of 18.6 months. In nine patients (1.8 percent), LM progressed to LMM an
average of 3.9 months (range 0 to 11 months) after completion of treatment.

However, a subsequent small, single-arm trial found a much lower pathologic clearance rate [101]. In this
study, 28 patients older than 45 years with primary untreated and histologically confirmed LM were
treated with imiquimod five times per week for 12 weeks and then underwent complete surgical excision
of the lesion. Following imiquimod treatment, only 10 patients (37 percent, 95% CI 19-58 percent)
achieved the primary outcome (complete histologic clearance); partial regression and definite residual
LM were observed in nine and seven patients, respectively [101].

PROGNOSIS

Lentigo maligna (LM) has a tendency for subclinical spread. Atypical melanocytes often extend for a
considerable distance from the clinical margin of LM, sometimes involving "skip" areas. This
phenomenon is described as the "field effect" and is responsible for recurrence of LM at the edge after an
initial, apparently successful treatment. However, in the absence of progression to lentigo maligna
melanoma (LMM), LM does not shorten life expectancy. In a review of 270 patients with LM (n = 124) or
LMM who underwent one or multiple surgeries until complete excision was achieved, there were no
disease-related deaths among patients with LMM [102].

Recurrence may occur after a prolonged disease-free interval, making assessment of the efficacy of
therapy difficult in studies with follow-up time ≤5 years. A few retrospective studies have reported
recurrence rates for conventional wide surgical excision of 6 to 9 percent after a mean follow-up time of 5
to 10 years [64-67]. In a single institution review of 649 cases of LM and thin LMM treated surgically, a
local recurrence was reported in 41 cases (6.3 percent) [103]. Among 29 cases with histologically
documented recurrence, the median time to recurrence was 49 months (range 7 to 194).

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Recurrence rates of 0 to 2 percent have been reported for LM excised by Mohs micrographic surgery
(MMS) after a follow-up time of 29 to 38 months [64,83,88-90].

FOLLOW-UP

There is no evidence base to determine the optimal follow-up for patients with lentigo maligna (LM). We
typically see patients twice yearly lifelong, as recurrence of LM can occur after many years, and these
patients have an increased risk of melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancers.

We perform a full-body skin examination at each follow-up visit. Examination for recurrent lesions or new
primary lesions is enhanced by the use of a Wood's light in a darkened room, dermoscopy, or, where
available, reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) [104].

SOCIETY GUIDELINE LINKS

Links to society and government-sponsored guidelines from selected countries and regions around the
world are provided separately. (See "Society guideline links: Melanoma screening, prevention, diagnosis,
and management" and "Society guideline links: Mohs surgery".)

SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS

● Lentigo maligna (LM) is a slowly evolving type of melanoma in situ that typically occurs in the sun-
damaged skin of the face and neck of older individuals (picture 1A-E). The risk of progression to
invasive lentigo maligna melanoma (LMM) ranges from 5 to 20 percent. The development of darker
pigmentation, sharper borders, or elevated or nodular areas are clinical signs of progression. (See
'Epidemiology and natural history' above.)

● Clinically, LM presents as an atypical macular lesion characterized by irregular shape, variegated


color, and variable size (picture 1A-E). Dermoscopic features of LM include asymmetrical, pigmented
follicular openings (atypical pseudonetwork); angulated lines/rhomboidal structures; and gray dots
and globules (picture 5A). The surrounding skin typically shows evidence of chronic solar damage
(solar elastosis, solar lentigines, or actinic keratoses). (See 'Clinical features' above and
'Dermoscopic features' above.)

● The diagnosis of LM is made by histologic examination. Excisional biopsy with narrow margins is
ideal for diagnosis. For large lesions or lesions located in cosmetically sensitive areas, it is
acceptable to perform one or more incisional biopsies of the most irregular or heavily pigmented
areas. Dermoscopy may be helpful in the selection of the biopsy site. Histologically, LM is
characterized by an increased number of atypical melanocytes, often spindle shaped, arranged in
single cells or in small nests along the dermoepidermal junction. (See 'Diagnosis' above and
'Histopathologic features' above.)

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● For patients with LM, we suggest surgical excision, rather than radiation therapy (RT) or topical
imiquimod, as first-line treatment (Grade 2C). Surgical margins of 0.5 to 1 cm are an accepted
standard for wide local excision. If available, surgical techniques that allow complete margin control,
such as staged excision with permanent sections ("slow Mohs"), are a preferred option for LMs
located in facial areas, where sparing normal tissue is essential to preserve cosmetic appearance
and function (figure 1). (See 'Surgery' above.)

● Nonsurgical therapies, such as RT and topical imiquimod, are treatment options for older patients
who are not surgical candidates and for patients in whom surgical excision is not feasible or
reconstruction is anticipated as difficult. Main drawbacks of nonsurgical approaches are the lack of
histologic examination of the entire tumor for foci of invasive melanoma not evident at the initial
biopsy and lack of histologic margin control. RT or imiquimod may also be used as adjuvant
treatment in patients with positive margins following surgical excision, when further surgical
resection is not feasible. (See 'Nonsurgical therapies' above.)

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67. Wilson JB, Walling HW, Scupham RK, et al. Staged Excision for Lentigo Maligna and Lentigo
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73. David AP, Miller MQ, Park SS, Christophel JJ. Comparison of Outcomes of Early vs Delayed Graft
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subtype: a practical surgical technique. Arch Facial Plast Surg 2001; 3:202.

76. Gaudy-Marqueste C, Perchenet AS, Taséi AM, et al. The "spaghetti technique": an alternative to
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77. Möller MG, Pappas-Politis E, Zager JS, et al. Surgical management of melanoma-in-situ using a
staged marginal and central excision technique. Ann Surg Oncol 2009; 16:1526.

78. Mahoney MH, Joseph M, Temple CL. The perimeter technique for lentigo maligna: an alternative to
Mohs micrographic surgery. J Surg Oncol 2005; 91:120.

79. Garcia D, Eilers RE, Jiang SB. Recurrence Rate of Melanoma in Situ when Treated with Serial Disk
Staged Excision: A Case Series. J Clin Investig Dermatol 2017; 5.

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81. de Vries K, Greveling K, Prens LM, et al. Recurrence rate of lentigo maligna after micrographically
controlled staged surgical excision. Br J Dermatol 2016; 174:588.
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82. Kwon SY, Miller SJ. Mohs surgery for melanoma in situ. Dermatol Clin 2011; 29:175.

83. Bhardwaj SS, Tope WD, Lee PK. Mohs micrographic surgery for lentigo maligna and lentigo
maligna melanoma using Mel-5 immunostaining: University of Minnesota experience. Dermatol
Surg 2006; 32:690.

84. Cherpelis BS, Moore R, Ladd S, et al. Comparison of MART-1 frozen sections to permanent
sections using a rapid 19-minute protocol. Dermatol Surg 2009; 35:207.

85. Bricca GM, Brodland DG, Zitelli JA. Immunostaining melanoma frozen sections: the 1-hour
protocol. Dermatol Surg 2004; 30:403.

86. Bene NI, Healy C, Coldiron BM. Mohs micrographic surgery is accurate 95.1% of the time for
melanoma in situ: a prospective study of 167 cases. Dermatol Surg 2008; 34:660.

87. Iorizzo LJ 3rd, Chocron I, Lumbang W, Stasko T. Importance of vertical pathology of debulking
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88. Temple CL, Arlette JP. Mohs micrographic surgery in the treatment of lentigo maligna and
melanoma. J Surg Oncol 2006; 94:287.

89. Bienert TN, Trotter MJ, Arlette JP. Treatment of cutaneous melanoma of the face by Mohs
micrographic surgery. J Cutan Med Surg 2003; 7:25.

90. Dawn ME, Dawn AG, Miller SJ. Mohs surgery for the treatment of melanoma in situ: a review.
Dermatol Surg 2007; 33:395.

91. Demer AM, Vance KK, Cheraghi N, et al. Benefit of Mohs Micrographic Surgery Over Wide Local
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92. Zalaudek I, Horn M, Richtig E, et al. Local recurrence in melanoma in situ: influence of sex, age,
site of involvement and therapeutic modalities. Br J Dermatol 2003; 148:703.

93. Fogarty GB, Hong A, Scolyer RA, et al. Radiotherapy for lentigo maligna: a literature review and
recommendations for treatment. Br J Dermatol 2014; 170:52.

94. Hedblad MA, Mallbris L. Grenz ray treatment of lentigo maligna and early lentigo maligna
melanoma. J Am Acad Dermatol 2012; 67:60.

95. Read T, Noonan C, David M, et al. A systematic review of non-surgical treatments for lentigo
maligna. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2016; 30:748.

96. Swetter SM, Chen FW, Kim DD, Egbert BM. Imiquimod 5% cream as primary or adjuvant therapy
for melanoma in situ, lentigo maligna type. J Am Acad Dermatol 2015; 72:1047.

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97. Wolf IH, Cerroni L, Kodama K, Kerl H. Treatment of lentigo maligna (melanoma in situ) with the
immune response modifier imiquimod. Arch Dermatol 2005; 141:510.

98. Mora AN, Karia PS, Nguyen BM. A quantitative systematic review of the efficacy of imiquimod
monotherapy for lentigo maligna and an analysis of factors that affect tumor clearance. J Am Acad
Dermatol 2015; 73:205.

99. Tio D, van der Woude J, Prinsen CAC, et al. A systematic review on the role of imiquimod in lentigo
maligna and lentigo maligna melanoma: need for standardization of treatment schedule and
outcome measures. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2017; 31:616.

100. Swetter SM. Challenges of treating melanoma in situ, lentigo maligna type: is pathological
clearance the gold standard? Br J Dermatol 2017; 176:1115.

101. Marsden JR, Fox R, Boota NM, et al. Effect of topical imiquimod as primary treatment for lentigo
maligna: the LIMIT-1 study. Br J Dermatol 2017; 176:1148.

102. Gambichler T, Kempka J, Kampilafkos P, et al. Clinicopathological characteristics of 270 patients


with lentigo maligna and lentigo maligna melanoma: data from a German skin cancer centre. Br J
Dermatol 2014; 171:1605.

103. Connolly KL, Hibler BP, Lee EH, et al. Locally Recurrent Lentigo Maligna and Lentigo Maligna
Melanoma: Characteristics and Time to Recurrence After Surgery. Dermatol Surg 2017; 43:792.

104. Erfan N, Kang HY, Cardot-Leccia N, et al. Reflectance confocal microscopy for recurrent lentigo
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GRAPHICS

Lentigo maligna

Reproduced with permission from: www.visualdx.com. Copyright VisualDx. All rights reserved.

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Lentigo maligna

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reserved.

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Lentigo maligna

Reproduced with permission from: www.visualdx.com. Copyright VisualDx. All rights reserved.

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Lentigo maligna

Lentigo maligna on the check of a 70-year-old woman.

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Lentigo maligna

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Lentigo maligna melanoma

Lentigo maligna melanoma usually arises in areas of sun-damaged skin, particularly on


the head and neck. It begins as a freckle-like, tan-brown macule and gradually enlarges
and develops darker or lighter, asymmetric foci and raised areas, which signify dermal
invasion.

Photo courtesy of Susan Swetter, MD.

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Lentigo maligna melanoma

Lentigo maligna melanoma on the left cheek of a 68-year-old man with


characteristic nodule signifying dermal invasion in the precursor surrounding in
situ lesion (lentigo maligna).

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Lentigo maligna melanoma

Lentigo maligna melanoma presenting as a brown patch with irregular and


indistinct borders and irregular pigmentation.

Reproduced with permission from: www.visualdx.com. Copyright VisualDx. All rights


reserved.

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Lentigo maligna melanoma

Lentigo maligna melanoma with a nodule of invasive melanoma present.

Reproduced with permission from: www.visualdx.com. Copyright VisualDx. All rights


reserved.

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Dermoscopic image of lentigo maligna

Annular-granular pattern in a lentigo maligna. Multiple gray dots are seen.

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Dermoscopic image of lentigo maligna

Red, rhomboidal structures in a lentigo maligna. Red lines are seen in the interfollicular spaces.

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15/9/2020 Lentigo maligna: Clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and management - UpToDate

Dermoscopic image of lentigo maligna

Dermoscopic pattern of "circles within a circle" in an early lentigo maligna melanoma (Breslow thickness
0.3 mm); an inner, small, gray circle is surrounded by a larger, gray to brown circle.

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Dermoscopic image of lentigo maligna

Increased density of the vascular network is visible in the right and lower part of the lesion. This
feature, however, is not specific or diagnostic of lentigo maligna, as it can also be found in sun-damaged
skin or rosacea.

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Dermoscopic image of lentigo maligna

Asymmetric, pigmented follicular openings appearing as small, gray circles in an early lentigo maligna.

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15/9/2020 Lentigo maligna: Clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and management - UpToDate

Dermoscopic image of lentigo maligna

Target-like pattern, also called "dot-within-a-circle" pattern, in a lentigo maligna. A gray dot surrounded
by a gray circle is visible within the hair follicle.

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Dermoscopic image of lentigo maligna melanoma

Pigmented, rhomboidal structures in a lentigo maligna melanoma (Breslow thickness 0.2 mm) appearing
as angulated, gray to brown lines in the interfollicular space.

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Dermoscopic features of lentigo maligna

Atypical pseudonetwork, annular-granular pattern, and slate gray areas are


characteristics of lentigo maligna.

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Dermoscopy of lentigo maligna melanoma

A 69-year-old woman was evaluated for an enlarging, pigmented lesion of her right
cheek. Two biopsies were performed with the help of dermoscopy to outline the borders
of the lesion. Pathology revealed a lentigo maligna melanoma. On this dermoscopic image
(x50), one can see slate gray dots and globules leading to annular-granular pattern,
which is typical of lentigo maligna melanoma.

Copyright © Eric Ehrsam, MD, Dermatlas; http://www.dermatlas.org.

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Clinical and dermoscopic image of lichen planus-like keratosis

(A) Lichen planus-like keratosis, also called lichenoid keratosis, presenting as a solitary, gray to brown
papule or plaque on the face.
(B) On dermoscopy, coarse, large, and partially confluent gray dots are seen.

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Dermoscopic image of a facial pigmented actinic keratosis

This pigmented actinic keratosis shows an annular-granular pattern that closely resembles the pattern
typically seen in lentigo maligna.

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Lentigo maligna

Atypical melanocytes grow largely at the dermal-epidermal interface (straight arrow),


with extension down the external root sheath of follicles (curved arrow). Upward growth
of melanocytes is much less prominent than in intraepidermal malignant melanoma of the
superficial spreading type.

Reproduced with permission from: Rubin R, Strayer DS. Rubin's Pathology: Clinicopathologic
Foundations of Medicine, 5th ed, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Philadelphia 2008. Copyright ©
2008 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

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Malignant melanoma in situ, lentigo maligna type

Medium power light photomicrograph of a lentigo maligna melanoma in situ, in


which there is epidermal atrophy associated with replacement of the basal layer
of epidermis with melanoma cells, the so-called pattern of lentiginous spread.
Lentigo usually arises in chronically sun-damaged skin.

Courtesy of Roy King, MD.

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Solar lentigines

Multiple irregular, light brown macules are present on the face of this patient.

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Solar lentigines presenting as brown macules on the


dorsum of the hand

Multiple brown macules are present on the dorsal hand.

Reproduced with permission from: www.visualdx.com. Copyright VisualDx. All rights


reserved.

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Dermoscopic image of a facial solar lentigo

Facial solar lentigines may show on dermoscopy a faint, light brown pseudonetwork with well-defined
borders and a so-called "moth-eaten" edge.

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Dermoscopic patterns seen in lentigo maligna and pigmented actinic


keratosis

(A) Lentigo maligna: Melanocytes extending down the follicular units appear as gray circles.
(B) Pigmented actinic keratosis: Keratotic plugs appear as enlarged, white to yellow clods or rosettes.

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Seborrheic keratosis

A large, superficial seborrheic keratosis on the cheek of a 56-year-old woman.

Reproduced with permisison from: the Dermatology Online Atlas, www.dermis.net. Copyright ©
2011. All rights reserved.

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Dermoscopic image of seborrheic keratosis: Moth-eaten borders

The presence of invaginations in the lesion edges gives it a moth-eaten appearance.

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Dermoscopic image of seborrheic keratosis: Milia-like cysts

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Dermoscopic image of seborrheic keratosis: Comedo-like openings

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Dermoscopic image of seborrheic keratosis: Fissures and ridges

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Dermoscopic image of lentigo maligna melanoma

Obliterated hair follicles in an invasive lentigo maligna melanoma (depth of invasion = 0.5 mm)
appearing as structureless, gray-black blotches.

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Lentigo maligna melanoma

Medium power light photomicrograph of a lentigo maligna melanoma. Within a


background of epidermal atrophy, the neoplastic melanocytes are arrayed along
the dermo-epidermal junction in a lentiginous pattern. Small dyshesive nests
are also seen along the junction (black arrows).

Courtesy of Vincent Liu, MD, and April Wang Armstrong, MD.

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15/9/2020 Lentigo maligna: Clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and management - UpToDate

Anatomical high-risk regions of the face

The dark pink-shaded regions of the face delineate the so-called H zone. Tissue-sparing
surgery techniques, such as Mohs micrographic surgery and staged excision, are indicated for
removal of skin tumors in this area. The light pink-shaded area, entire scalp, and neck are
called the M area.

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Staged excision of lentigo maligna

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15/9/2020 Lentigo maligna: Clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and management - UpToDate

Lentigo maligna of the scalp treated with radiation therapy

(A) A 62-year-old with a large area of biopsy-proven lentigo maligna on the scalp. The area was defined by reflective confocal
microscopy. The treatment option of surgical excision with a skin graft repair, radiotherapy, and imiquimod was discussed with
him. He was randomized to RT in a clinical trial. The area was treated to 56 Gy in 28 fractions.
(B) The appearance 6 months after completion of RT. On reflective confocal microscopy, there were few scattered dendritic
cells but no evidence of residual lentigo maligna.

RT: radiation therapy.

Courtesy of Angela M Hong, MBBS, MMed, PhD, FRANZCR.

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15/9/2020 Lentigo maligna: Clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and management - UpToDate

Contributor Disclosures
Arthur J Sober, MD Nothing to disclose Suzanne Olbricht, MD Nothing to disclose Angela M Hong, MBBS,
MMed, PhD, FRANZCR Nothing to disclose Hensin Tsao, MD, PhD Grant/Research/Clinical Trial Support: Relay
Therapeutics; Asana BioSciences [Melanoma (Dual BRAF/PI3K inhibitor, ERK 1/2 inhibitor)]. Consultant/Advisory
Boards: Epiphany Dermatology [Basal cell carcinoma, melanoma, nevi, skin cancer screening]; World Care Clinical;
Ortho Dermatologics [Melanoma (Imaging services)]. Consultant/Advisory Boards (Spouse): Ortho Dermatologics
[Melanoma]. Rosamaria Corona, MD, DSc Nothing to disclose

El grupo editorial revisa las divulgaciones de los colaboradores para detectar conflictos de intereses. Cuando se
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