A meta-analysis of nevus-associated melanoma: Prevalence and practical implications
The reported prevalence of nevus-associated melanoma varies substantially. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the incidence and prevalence of this disease; we also performed sub analyses considering age, tumor thickness, and nevus-type classification. In 38 observational cohort and casee-control studies, 29.1% of melanomas likely arose from a preexisting nevus and 70.9% de novo. Any given melanoma was 64% less likely to be nevus-associated than de novo (risk ratio 0.36, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.29-0.44; P \ .001; I2 = 99%); nevus-associated melanomas had a lower mean Breslow thickness than de novo melanomas (mean difference e0.39 mm; 95% CI e0.60 to e0.18; P = .0003; I2 = 66%). No significant differences were noted regarding the association of nevus-associated melanomas with nondysplastic nevi or dysplastic nevi (risk ratio 0.77, 95% CI 0.49-1.20; P = .24; I2 = 98%).
Riccardo Pampena, MD
Athanassios Kyrgidis, MD
Aimilios Lallas, MD
Elvira Moscarella, MD
Giuseppe Argenziano, MD
Caterina Longo, MD, PhD
