ABSTRACT
Since the above initial observations, larger series on short-term followup have confi rmed the identifi cation of dermoscopic featureless melanoma using short-term (6 weeks to 4.5 months) followup (Altamura et al., 2008; Kittler et al., 2000b; Kittler et al., 2000a; Kittler & Binder, 2001; Kittler & Binder, 2002). Importantly, no specifi c type of morphologic change can distinguish melanoma from nevi when lesions are monitored over this short duration, with any change during this period requiring excision (Figs. 14.1, 14.2) (Kittler et al., 2006). Importantly, 99.2% of lesions remaining unchanged at 2.5-4.5 months were confi rmed benign on further followup (Altamura et al., 2008). Although 94% of melanoma (non-lentigo maligna type) were observed to change during the shortterm interval (2.5-4.5 months), only 75% of lentigo maligna change at this time interval. For this reason, a second monitored interval between 6 and 12 months following the baseline image is recommended where lentigo maligna is in the differential diagnosis (Altamura et al., 2008).
