“Surprisingly, having any nevi on an extremity was associated with a significant increase in the risk of basal cell carcinoma,” in a dose-dependent manner, with 15 or more conferring a 40% increased risk of BCC, compared to subjects with no extremity nevi, Dr. Wei said (P less than .0001).
Even one mole also increased the risk of melanoma; having six or more nearly tripled it, again in a dose-dependent fashion (P less than .0001). Extremity nevi increased the risk of melanoma across all anatomic sites, including head, neck, and trunk.
The findings were statistically significant, and adjusted for age, body mass index, smoking, sun exposure, sunburn history, and other confounders.
There was no industry funding for the work, and the investigators had no relevant disclosures.
aotto@frontlinemedcom.com
SOURCE: Wei EX et al. 2018 International Investigative Dermatology meeting abstract 233