Background: The genetic basis of melanoma affects its clinicopathologic characteristics and increasingly influences its management. B-Raf proto-oncogene, serine/threonine kinase gene (BRAF)-mutated melanoma may present with specific dermoscopic features.
Objectives: To identify the dermoscopic features associated with BRAF mutation in cutaneous melanoma and to evaluate a model capable of predicting BRAF mutations on the basis of dermoscopic and clinicopathologic features that are easily accessible in normal clinical practice.
Methods: A prospective, cross-sectional, observational, and descriptive study was performed. A total of 93 cutaneous melanomas with dermoscopic images from 93 patients were included. BRAF mutational status was determined by genetic analysis using 2 methods: cobas 4800 BRAF V600 Mutation Test (Roche Molecular Systems, Pleasanton, CA) and Sanger sequencing. Clinicopathologic data were collected; dermoscopic images were analyzed by 2 independent blind observers.
Results: Blue-white veil in dermoscopy was significantly associated with BRAF mutations (odds ratio, 4.3; 95% confidence interval, 1.6-11.5; P = .003). Patients with BRAF-mutated melanomas were significantly younger than those with wild-type melanomas (odds ratio, 0.96; 95% confidence interval, 0.93-0.99; P = .008). On the basis of these 2 variables, it was possible to predict BRAF mutational status in melanoma with 73% accuracy.
Limitations: Histologic data were obtained from pathology reports. The accuracy of the predictive model has not been tested with a new data set.
Conclusions: Blue-white veil in dermoscopy is associated with BRAF mutations in cutaneous melanoma.
Keywords: BRAF; blue-white veil; dermatology; dermoscopy; exophytic papillary structures; genetics; melanoma; oncology; pathology; streaks; ulceration.
Copyright © 2018 American Academy of Dermatology, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.