Person:

Thomas, Paul Patrick

Women with melanoma and its precursor lesions, dysplastic naevi, have a higher prevalence of reproductive disorders than women without melanotic lesions. This association appears strongest among young women with dysplastic naevi and endometriosis. The purpose of this study was to evaluate patients with laparoscopy-confirmed endometriosis for the presence of dysplastic naevi. A total of 66 endometriosis patients and 35 controls completed a detailed questionnaire and underwent an extensive dermatological examination for the presence of dysplastic naevi. In all, 41% of patients aged < or = 32 years had dysplastic naevi, compared with 8% of controls (P = 0.038). In addition, 29% of patients with endometriosis reported a family history of melanoma compared with 10% of controls (P = 0.039). This study demonstrated an association between endometriosis and dysplastic naevi in younger women of reproductive age and found an associated family history of melanoma among endometriosis patients. These observations may be useful in the evaluation and care of young women by both gynaecologists and dermatologists.