Locally Recurrent Lentigo Maligna and Lentigo Maligna Melanoma: Characteristics and Time to Recurrence After Surgery.

Overview

BACKGROUND: Various studies have reported local recurrence (LR) rates after surgical treatment of lentigo maligna (LM) and lentigo maligna melanoma (LMM). However, the time to LR of LM/LMM is not currently known, as few studies report time to LR and have long-term follow-up. OBJECTIVE: To define time to LR in LM/LMM after surgical treatment, and to describe features of observed LR. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective single-center study of consecutive patients presenting with locally recurrent LM/LMM. RESULTS: Six hundred forty-nine cases of LM/LMM were reviewed; 29 (21 LM, and 8 LMM) of 41 locally recurrent cases had original histology reports and were included. The mean time to LR was 57.5 months (range 7-194). For cases presenting as primary LM, LR was also in situ in 14/21 (67%) of cases. Seven of 21 LM recurred as LMM. Of the 8 primary LMM, 3/8 (37.5%) presented with subsequent LMM and all were slightly deeper on re-excision. CONCLUSION: The mean time to LR of LM/LMM is at least 57.5 months, underscoring the importance of long-term follow-up. Seven of 21 LM recurred as invasive disease, but the lack of development of LMM from LM in most recurrent cases confirms LM is slowly progressive.

Dermatologic surgery : official publication for American Society for Dermatologic Surgery [et al.] Journal