Inverse relationship between density of cutaneous hair and pigmented lesion count in patients with malignant melanoma

J K Tobacman; D Whitaker; B Zimmerman

doi:10.1097/00008390-200302000-00005

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Inverse relationship between density of cutaneous hair and pigmented lesion count in patients with malignant melanoma

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Inverse relationship between density of cutaneous hair and pigmented lesion count in patients with malignant melanoma

J K Tobacman, D Whitaker and B Zimmerman

Melanoma research, Vol.13(1), pp.23-27

02/2003

DOI: 10.1097/00008390-200302000-00005

PMID: 12569281

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Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate whether there is an inverse relationship between the density of cutaneous hair and the number of pigmented lesions in patients with malignant melanoma, and to review the clinical and experimental findings with regard to this relationship. Cutaneous hair density and pigmented lesion counts were determined at nine sites by two physicians using specified criteria in 10 patients with a history of malignant melanoma and 22 control subjects. Study participants were Caucasian males of similar age, height and weight, and had similar occupational, ethnic, socioeconomic and sun exposure backgrounds. Statistical analysis was performed using combined data from all the sites and individual site data to determine whether an inverse relationship between cutaneous hair density and pigmented lesion counts exists. The results demonstrated statistically significant inverse relationships for the chest, upper back, upper arm and forearm in the melanoma patients, but not in the controls. For all the sites combined, both groups demonstrated statistically significant inverse relationships. The study findings are consistent with the hypothesis that some pigmented lesions may arise from the melanocytes of the hair follicle. This hypothesis may lead to new approaches to studying and treating melanoma.

Melanoma - metabolism

Skin Neoplasms - pathology

Hair - pathology

Body Weight

Humans

Hair - metabolism

Male

Melanocytes - metabolism

Melanoma - pathology

Case-Control Studies

Melanocytes - radiation effects

Skin Neoplasms - metabolism

Sunlight - adverse effects

Hair Follicle - metabolism

Melanocytes - pathology

Skin Pigmentation

Adult

Body Height

Melanosis

Details

Title: Subtitle: Inverse relationship between density of cutaneous hair and pigmented lesion count in patients with malignant melanoma
Creators: J K Tobacman - Department of Internal Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52242, USA
D Whitaker
B Zimmerman
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Melanoma research, Vol.13(1), pp.23-27
Publisher: England
DOI: 10.1097/00008390-200302000-00005
PMID: 12569281
ISSN: 0960-8931
eISSN: 1473-5636
Language: English
Date published: 02/2003
Academic Unit: Biostatistics
Record Identifier: 9983997329002771

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