Dermoscopic characteristics of melanoma according to the criteria „ulceration“ and „mitotic rate“ of the AJCC 2009 staging system for melanoma

Abstract

Our study proves a significant correlation between the dermoscopic patterns "blue white veil", "milky-red areas"and "shiny-white streaks"and the histological findings "ulceration"and "mitotic rate > 1/mm2". Furthermore these dermoscopic patterns are highly related to distant metastases. Thus, dermoscopy renders earlier prognostic statements possible.