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Factors in early adolescence associated with mole-prone phenotype later

Researchers found clinical features in early adolescence that were associated with mole-prone phenotype in later adolescence, which may help identify individuals at risk for melanoma, according to recently published study results in JAMA Dermatology.

The researchers conducted a prospective cohort study from the Study of Nevi in Children, a population based study, between 2009 and 2014 with a 2- to 3-year follow-up. The baseline cohort included 569 students (mean age, 14.4 years) from the Framingham, Massachusetts, school system who were enrolled in eighth or ninth grade.

There were 417 students (mean age, 17 years, 60.2% male; 89.2% white) who were reassessed in the 11th grade, for an overall retention rate of 73.3%.

Total nevus count of the back and one randomly selected leg in the top docile of the cohort or having any nevi greater than 5 mm in diameter were used to define mole-prone phenotype.

At baseline, the median nevus count of the back and one randomly selected leg was 15 nevi, while at follow-up it was 21 nevi.

Among the 11th grade students, 111 (26.6%) demonstrated mole-prone phenotype, including 62.2% with one nevus greater than 5 mm in diameter, 20.7% with total nevus count in the top decile and 17.1% with both characteristics.

Of the studies in the mole-prone phenotype, 96.4% were white and 50.5% exhibited the highest sun sensitivity index.

Mole-prone phenotype was associated with baseline total nevus count (adjusted OR = 9.09; 95% CI, 4-23.7) and increased variability of nevus dermoscopic pattern (adjusted OR = 4.24; 95% CI, 1.36-13.25).

“We found clinical and dermoscopic features in early adolescence that are associated with a mole-prone phonotype in late adolescence,” the researchers concluded. “Participants with a mole-prone phenotype constituted less than one-third of the total study population at follow-up and were more likely to have a higher baseline total nevus count and increased variability of dermocopic patterns. Combined with earlier findings in preadolescent individuals, the data suggest that a segment of the adolescent population is likely to be at an increased risk for melanoma and can be identified and targeted for enhanced melanoma prevention efforts before the initiation of tanning behaviors.” – by Bruce Thiel

Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.