External Medicine
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Melanoma: Genetics and Risk Factors
TANNING
Indoor Tanning
Roth A, Boutko A, Lampley N 3rd, Olivares S, Gerami P. Indoor tanning is associated with an increased risk of multiple primary melanomas: A case-control study. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2023. PMID: 36400324.
SUMMARY: Case-Control study. Cases = multiple primary melanomas, controls = single primary melanoma. Exposure = >10 indoor tanning sessions. Proportion of controls with >10 indoor tanning sessions was 19%; 33% for 2+ melanomas, 45% for 3+ melanomas, and 53% for 4+ melanomas (10/19). The exposure classification was a bit confusing, as it was either zero or >10, and the totals summed to 100%. Presumably, there were patients who had more than zero but 10 or less and how they were dealt with was not clear.
FAMILY HISTORY
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Patient reported family history of melanoma is very inaccurate.
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In a Utah cohort of 1780 patients enrolled in a total body photography monitoring program (presumed to be higher risk for melanoma as a result), self-reported family history of melanoma in first-degree relatives had an overall sensitivity of 71%, specificity of 79%, PPV of 31%, and NPV of 95%, with decreased PPV for second-degree relatives. PPV was better if the patient had a personal history of melanoma. (32436000)
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In an Australian family/twin study cohort, 793 patients with melanoma reported 1,040 relatives with melanoma. 60% were confirmed to be accurate. Of the false reports (40%), most common alternate diagnoses were BCC/SCC (42%), nevi (28%), AK (14%), other cancer (8%) and the remaining various diagnoses. Self-reports from the relatives were correct 85% of the time. (8873051)
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