Dermoscopic Features and Their Association With Breslow Thickness of Facial Lentigo Maligna in Koreans: A Multi-Center Retrospective Study

Jinie Lee; Ji Su Lee; Jun Young Kim; Jung Min Bae; Jin Park; Je-Ho Mun

doi:10.1111/1346-8138.17822

Dermoscopic Features and Their Association With Breslow Thickness of Facial Lentigo Maligna in Koreans: A Multi-Center Retrospective Study

J Dermatol. 2025 Jun 17. doi: 10.1111/1346-8138.17822. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Jinie Lee¹, Ji Su Lee^{2

3}, Jun Young Kim⁴, Jung Min Bae⁵, Jin Park⁶, Je-Ho Mun^{1

2

3}

Affiliations

¹ Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
² Department of Dermatology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
³ Institute of Human-Environment Interface Biology, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
⁴ Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Kyungpook National University Hospital, Daegu, South Korea.
⁵ Department of Dermatology, St. Vincent's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.
⁶ Department of Dermatology, Research Institute of Clinical Medicine of Chonbuk National University-Biomedical Research Institute of Chonbuk National University Hospital, Jeonju, Korea.

PMID: 40525782
DOI: 10.1111/1346-8138.17822

Abstract

Background: Owing to the rarity of lentigo maligna (LM) and lentigo maligna melanoma (LMM) in East Asians, their dermoscopic features are underreported. The prognosis and management of LM and LMM depend on the Breslow thickness (BT). However, the association between BT and the dermoscopic features of LMM is largely unknown.

Objectives: To report the dermoscopic features of LM/LMM in Koreans and analyze the association between BT and dermoscopic findings of LMM.

Methods: This retrospective study included 46 patients with facial LM/LMM (32 patients had ≤ 1 mm BT and 14 had > 1 mm) collected from three tertiary hospitals in Korea. The frequency of each dermoscopic feature of LM/LMM was assessed according to the BT. Logistic regression analysis was performed to investigate the association between certain dermoscopic patterns and BT in patients with LM/LMM.

Results: Observed dermoscopic patterns in Korean patients with LM/LMM included asymmetrical pigmented follicular openings (100%), asymmetry of the overall shape (97.8%), annular-granular pattern (95.7%), dark rhomboids (95.7%), blotches (78.3%), polychromy (45.7%), blue-white veil (41.3%), thin brown network (36.4%), regression structures (19.6%), and fingerprint pattern (8.7%). Milky-red areas (32.6%), red rhomboids (26.1%), linear vessels (21.7%), arborizing vessels (8.7%), dotted vessels (2.2%), and hairpin vessels (2.2%) were also observed. Multivariable logistic regression revealed that a blue-white veil (odds ratio [OR], 42.895; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.878-979.565), red rhomboids (OR, 13.666; 95% CI, 1.070-174.552), and linear vessels (OR, 18.823; 95% CI, 1.357-261.107) were significantly associated with LMM with a BT of > 1 mm. The predictive model (range: 0-7) had a reliable diagnostic value (area under the curve = 0.964).

Conclusions: This study provides an in-depth analysis of the dermoscopic features of LM/LMM in East Asian patients. Preoperative dermoscopy, which provides BT information, may help determine the appropriate management of LMM.

Keywords: Breslow thickness; dermoscopy; lentigo maligna; lentigo maligna melanoma; pigmented skin lesion.