Synonym(s)
melanoma nevoid; Melanoma with small nevus-like cells; Small cell melanoma; small cells melanoma; Spitzoid melanoma
DefinitionThis section has been translated automatically.
Histological variant of a malignant melanoma, without own distinct clinical morphology. Also the clinical course is not different from that of conventional malignant melanomas.
ClassificationThis section has been translated automatically.
A distinction must be made between:
- Malignant melanoma, spitzoid
- Malignant melanoma, small cell type.
HistologyThis section has been translated automatically.
- Naevoides, malignant melanoma, small cell type: In the overview enlargement the picture of an often exophytic "benign" melanocytic nevus is shown. Nests of small monomorphic tumor cells with different pigmentation are arranged in a strand. Especially in the depth of the tumor, larger tumor cells are found, with distinct cell and nuclear polymorphism and prominent nuclear corpuscles. The sign of distal maturation of the melanocytes, as expected in a melanocytic nevus, is missing. Mitoses are distributed over the entire tumor parenchyma. Pagetoid epithelial infiltration is observed focally ("you have to look for it"!).
- Nevoid, malignant melanoma, spitzoid type: In the overview magnification architecture of the spit nevus with symmetrical, often sharply limited melanocytic proliferation with single tumor cells and few or missing nests at the junctional zone. The polygonal tumor cells, mostly diffusely distributed in the dermis, have large nuclei and broad cytoplasm. Giant cells are represented as well as so-called Kamino-bodies. The cellular density does not decrease towards the base. Here, a clear loss of cellular cohesion becomes apparent. A maturation to depth is not observed. Mitoses are distributed over the entire tumor parenchyma.
LiteratureThis section has been translated automatically.
- Miura K et al (1999) Small cell type malignant melanoma which developed in a 16-year-old female with a congenital dermal nevus and metastasized 12 years after excision. Catholic Int 49: 247-252
- Pereira F et al (2002) Multiple nevoid malignant melanomas in a patient with AIDS: the role of proliferating cell nuclear antigen in the diagnosis. J Am Acad Dermatol 47(2 Suppl): S172-74
- Ruiter DJ et al (2003) Current diagnostic problems in melanoma pathology.seminary Cutan Med Surg 22: 33-41
- Siegelmann-Danieli N et al (1999) Malignant skin lesions. Case 1: nevoid malignant melanoma of the breast presenting as a contralateral breast metastasis. J Clin Oncol 17: 3850-3852
- Zembowicz A et al (2001) Morphological analysis of nevoid melanoma: a study of 20 cases with a review of the literature. Am J Dermatopathol 23: 167-175
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Incoming links (4)
Melanoma nevoid; Melanoma with small nevus-like cells; Small cell melanoma; Spitzoid melanoma;Disclaimer
Please ask your physician for a reliable diagnosis. This website is only meant as a reference.
Prof. Dr. med. Peter Altmeyer