Dermoscopy-guided surveillance in xeroderma pigmentosum: A retrospective analysis

Aim: Xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) is a life-threatening disease characterized by high rates of skin cancers. Therefore, it is important to establish key guidelines for the follow-up of these patients to detect skin cancers, particularly melanoma, at an early stage. Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective study that includes the analysis of the follow-up findings and medical records of XP patients who were followed up with whole-body skin examination, dermoscopic examination, and whole-body photographing between 2003 and 2021 in the Dermato Oncology unit of Ege University Department of Dermatology. Results: Of the 19 patients, 10 were male and 9 were female. The youngest patient was 5 years old, while the oldest patient was 64 years old. A total of 234 lesions were excised from these patients. Seventeen melanomas were excised, including 11 in situ, with a Breslow thickness of less than 1 mm. The highest Breslow scores belong to patients who missed their appointments or did not receive follow-up care previously. Conclusion: It was observed that regular full-body skin examinations, whole-body photography, and dermoscopic monitoring performed at 3-month intervals in XP patients are helpful in detecting skin malignancies at an early stage and preventing unnecessary excisions.