Background/Objectives: The prevalence of tattoos has risen globally in recent decades, ranging from 10% to 29%. Although rare, melanomas arising within tattoos are challenging for dermatologists due to the complexities in clinical and dermoscopic evaluation. In this article, we report two cases of melanoma on tattoos, review the reported cases in the literature, and examine the role of reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) in improving the diagnosis of melanoma on tattooed skin. Methods: We conducted a systematic literature search on Medline/Pubmed for the period from the inception of the databases to 31 October 2024, using the Mesh major topics ‘melanoma’ AND ‘tattoo’ OR ‘tattoo skin tumor’. Out of the 268 citations identified by our search, 37 studies met the eligibility criteria. Results: In total, 43 cases of melanoma arising on tattooed skin were identified, to which we add our 2 cases, bringing the total to 45. The most common locations were the upper limbs (53%) and trunk (38%), predominantly arisen on black and blue tattoos. Of 40 cases with known depth of invasion, 4 were in situ and 36 invasive, with a mean Breslow thickness of 2.7 mm. Seven patients had a positive sentinel lymph node. Of 16 cases with an available horizontal diameter, 12 melanomas had a diameter of ≥1 cm. Conclusions: The limited cases of ‘’melanoma on tattoos” reported in the literature suggest a coincidental association rather than a direct causal link. Nevertheless, increased awareness among patients and tattoo artists about potential risks and preventive measures may enhance the management of melanocytic lesions in tattooed individuals. Lastly, integrating reflectance confocal microscopy with dermoscopy increases the overall diagnostic accuracy for melanoma, enhancing the identification of pigmented and non-pigmented skin lesions.
General practitioners play a crucial role in the early detection and prevention of cutaneous melanoma. However, structured training on skin cancer diagnosis and management is often lacking. This narrative review aims to map the current educational interventions for general practitioners focused on melanoma, assess their methodological approaches and outcomes, and explore the contribution of e-learning and telemedicine in medical education. A comprehensive literature search identified 54 relevant studies published between 1 January 1995 and 31 December 2024. Data were extracted and categorized by topics covered, training methodology, interactivity, and clinical outcomes. Training programs varied widely in duration, delivery, and content. Interventions that integrated dermoscopy and interactive methodologies demonstrated improved diagnostic accuracy and clinical impact. E-learning, particularly asynchronous models, emerged as a flexible and effective modality, although few studies evaluated long-term retention or clinical practice changes. Educational programs tailored to general practitioners and enriched with dermoscopy and telemedicine tools show promise in improving melanoma detection and care. Structured, interactive, and blended/hybrid learning models should be prioritized to support effective primary and secondary prevention.
Dermatomyositis (DM) is a rare autoimmune disease characterized by inflammatory involvement of skin and muscles, often associated with malignancy, particularly in the presence of anti-transcription intermediary factor 1 gamma (TIF-1γ) antibodies. This case report describes a 57-year-old Senegalese man with anti-TIF-1γ-positive DM and colorectal adenocarcinoma with liver metastases, presenting with severe dermatological symptoms such as ulcerations, the “red on white” sign, and scalp pustulosis, as well as systemic features including dysphagia and muscle weakness. Diagnosis was confirmed through clinical evaluation, serological testing, and histopathology. Treatment with corticosteroids, intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), and surgical tumor resection led to significant improvement. This case underscores the importance of recognizing DM’s dermatological signs, conducting thorough malignancy screening, and implementing a multidisciplinary approach for effective management and improved outcomes, given the rarity of the association with colorectal cancer.
20 September 2026 in Expert Opinion on Drug Safety
1. Advances in understanding alopecia areata (AA) pathogenesis have identified the collapse of hair follicle immune privilege and subsequent activation of the Janus kinase–signal transducer and act...