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The American Journal of Surgical... Nov 2018PRAME (PReferentially expressed Antigen in MElanoma) is a melanoma-associated antigen that was isolated by autologous T cells in a melanoma patient. While frequent PRAME... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
PRAME (PReferentially expressed Antigen in MElanoma) is a melanoma-associated antigen that was isolated by autologous T cells in a melanoma patient. While frequent PRAME mRNA expression is well documented in cutaneous and ocular melanomas, little is known about PRAME protein expression in melanocytic tumors. In this study we examined the immunohistochemical expression of PRAME in 400 melanocytic tumors, including 155 primary and 100 metastatic melanomas, and 145 melanocytic nevi. Diffuse nuclear immunoreactivity for PRAME was found in 87% of metastatic and 83.2% of primary melanomas. Among melanoma subtypes, PRAME was diffusely expressed in 94.4% of acral melanomas, 92.5% of superficial spreading melanomas, 90% of nodular melanomas, 88.6% of lentigo maligna melanomas, and 35% of desmoplastic melanomas. When in situ and nondesmoplastic invasive melanoma components were present, PRAME expression was seen in both. Of the 140 cutaneous melanocytic nevi, 86.4% were completely negative for PRAME. Immunoreactivity for PRAME was seen, albeit usually only in a minor subpopulation of lesional melanocytes, in 13.6% of cutaneous nevi, including dysplastic nevi, common acquired nevi, traumatized/recurrent nevi, and Spitz nevi. Rare isolated junctional melanocytes with immunoreactivity for PRAME were also seen in solar lentigines and benign nonlesional skin. Our results suggest that immunohistochemical analysis for PRAME expression may be useful for diagnostic purposes to support a suspected diagnosis of melanoma. It may also be valuable for margin assessment of a known PRAME-positive melanoma, but its expression in nevi, solar lentigines, and benign nonlesional skin can represent a pitfall and merits further investigations to better assess the potential clinical utility of this marker.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Antigens, Neoplasm; Biomarkers, Tumor; Child; Female; Humans; Hutchinson's Melanotic Freckle; Immunohistochemistry; Male; Melanocytes; Melanoma; Middle Aged; Nevus, Pigmented; Reproducibility of Results; Skin Neoplasms; Young Adult
PubMed: 30045064
DOI: 10.1097/PAS.0000000000001134 -
Frontiers in Oncology 2021The "multidimensional" World Health Organization (WHO) classification 2018 of melanocytic tumors encompasses nine melanoma pathways (seven of which for cutaneous... (Review)
Review
The "multidimensional" World Health Organization (WHO) classification 2018 of melanocytic tumors encompasses nine melanoma pathways (seven of which for cutaneous melanoma) according to a progression model in which morphologically intermediate melanocytic tumors are cosidered as simulators and/or precursors to melanoma. These "intermediates" can be subclassified into: i) a "classical" subgroup (superficial/thin compound: dysplastic nevus), which is placed within the morphologic and molecular progression spectrum of classical (Clark's and McGovern's) melanoma subtypes (superficial spreading and, possibly, nodular); and ii) a "non-classical" subgroup (thick compound/dermal: "melanocytomas") whose genetic pathways diverge from classical melanoma subtypes. Such a progression model is aimed at giving a conceptual framework for a histopathological classification; however, routine clinicopathological practice strongly suggests that most melanomas arise and that the vast majority of nevi are clinically stable or even involuting over time. Clinicopathological correlation can help identify some severely atypical but benign tumors (: sclerosing nevus with pseudomelanomatous features) as well as some deceptively bland melanomas (: lentiginous melanoma; nested melanoma), thereby addressing some ambiguous cases to a correct clinical management. The recently available adjuvant therapy regimens for melanoma raise the problem of a careful distinction between severely atypical (high grade) melanocytoma and "classical" melanoma: conventional morphology can guide an algorithmic approach based on an antibody panel (anti-mutated BRAF, BAP1, PRAME, ALK, TRKA, MET, HRAS-WT, ROS; beta catenin; R1alpha; p16; HMB45; Ki67), a first-line molecular study (identification of hot spot mutations of and ) and an advanced molecular study (sequencing of ; fusions studies of ); as a final step, next-generation sequencing can identify melanocytic tumors with rare genetic signatures and melanocytic tumors with a high tumor mutation burden which should be definitely ascribed to the category of classical melanoma with the respective therapeutic options.
PubMed: 34277420
DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.675296 -
Singapore Medical Journal Nov 2018Although spongiotic (eczematous), psoriatic and cutaneous skin infections are among the most common in dermatology consultations, melanocytic lesions - including the... (Review)
Review
Although spongiotic (eczematous), psoriatic and cutaneous skin infections are among the most common in dermatology consultations, melanocytic lesions - including the different types of nevi and melanomas - are among those that cause a great deal of concern and stress to patients and their clinicians. A diagnosis of benign melanocytic nevus carries a very good prognosis. However, a diagnosis of melanoma might indicate more aggressive treatment, lifelong surveillance and a worse prognosis. Differentiating between these conditions is not always a straightforward process for clinicians and pathologists. Therefore, knowledge of melanoma mimickers is very important for clinicians in general, and dermatologists and pathologists in particular. In this review, we called attention to some of the more frequent benign but unusual melanocytic lesions that are of diagnostic concern for clinicians evaluating these cutaneous proliferations.
Topics: Cell Proliferation; Diagnosis, Differential; Humans; Incidence; Melanoma; Nevus, Pigmented; Prognosis; Risk; Skin; Skin Neoplasms; United States; Melanoma, Cutaneous Malignant
PubMed: 29774360
DOI: 10.11622/smedj.2018041 -
Cureus Jun 2022Melanocytic lesions have a wide morphological spectrum, ranging from benign nevi to malignant melanoma. In contrast to a diagnosis of a benign nevus, a diagnosis of... (Review)
Review
Melanocytic lesions have a wide morphological spectrum, ranging from benign nevi to malignant melanoma. In contrast to a diagnosis of a benign nevus, a diagnosis of melanoma could mean intensive treatment, lifetime monitoring, and a worse prognosis. Therefore, melanocytic tumors are notoriously challenging and associated with a high risk of litigation in surgical pathology. After describing the basic features of nevi and melanoma, this article describes the detailed clinical and histological features of those lesions that share many similar features with melanoma. The entities included are Spitz nevi and atypical Spitz tumors (AST), Reed nevus, dysplastic nevus, cellular blue nevus (CBN), deep penetrating nevus, combined nevus, recurrent nevus, irritated nevus, congenital pattern nevus, acral nevus, and nevi of special sites. Knowledge of these imitators can help pathologists distinguish between benign and malignant cases and avoid misdiagnosis.
PubMed: 35875272
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.26127 -
Dermatology Practical & Conceptual Oct 2023Dysplastic nevi are pigmented lesions that exhibit clinical and histological features of both common nevi and melanoma. In recent years, there has been an increase in... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Dysplastic nevi are pigmented lesions that exhibit clinical and histological features of both common nevi and melanoma. In recent years, there has been an increase in publications on dysplastic nevi. Bibliometric analysis is a method of evaluating trends in large number of publications and identifying popular topics.
OBJECTIVES
The objective of this study is to provide an overview of the landscape of publications related to dysplastic nevi, visualize trends and identify popular topics in the literature.
METHODS
Thomson Reuters' Web of Science database was searched with the following query in title, abstract or keywords: TS = ("dysplastic nevus" OR "clark nevus" OR "atypical nevus" OR "dysplastic nevi" OR "clark nevi" OR "atypical nevi"). Time span was set to 1992-2022. Document type was set to Article. Titles, authors, abstracts, institutions, countries, journals, references, and the citation information were recorded.
RESULTS
Although the number of publications has declined over time, the USA remains the leading contributor to published articles. Key clusters of frequently used keywords were identified. The Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology had the highest number of published titles. Country and journal analysis were supplemented by co-citation and co-cited reference cluster analysis. Burst analyses revealed authors like Kittler, Argenziano, and Gandini as significant contributors, with their works receiving strong citation bursts extending until the end of the study period.
CONCLUSIONS
This bibliometric analysis revealed trends and interest pockets in the literature pertaining to dysplastic nevi and melanoma. This study aids in understanding the current research landscape and highlights potential future directions in this field.
PubMed: 37992349
DOI: 10.5826/dpc.1304a266 -
Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine Jan 2022Multiple primary cancers may occur in the same patient, with a prevalence that follows an ascendant trend. Their development is dictated by a complex interplay between a...
Multiple primary cancers may occur in the same patient, with a prevalence that follows an ascendant trend. Their development is dictated by a complex interplay between a variety of factors, both patient-dependent and external. The case of a 38-year-old female patient diagnosed and treated for pancreatic cancer (PC) is presented in whom the digital dermoscopic monitoring of melanocytic nevi revealed a marked change of two nevi that acquired rapidly highly atypical features. They were surgically excised and the histopathological examination revealed two completely excised dysplastic compound nevi. Clinicians should be aware of the strong association between dysplastic nevus syndrome and PC, a malignancy associated with an extremely poor prognosis. Familial atypical multiple mole melanoma syndrome (FAMMM) predisposes to the development of melanoma, pancreatic cancer and other neoplasms. The common genetic background of PC and hereditary melanoma is discussed and the importance of regular skin checkup and screening for PC in these patients is underlined.
PubMed: 34824639
DOI: 10.3892/etm.2021.10953 -
Dermatology Practical & Conceptual Jul 2021We are currently witnessing a worldwide increase in the incidence of melanoma. Incidence in Europe is about 25 cases per 100,000 population, while in Australia it... (Review)
Review
We are currently witnessing a worldwide increase in the incidence of melanoma. Incidence in Europe is about 25 cases per 100,000 population, while in Australia it reaches a rate of 60 new cases per 100,000. While the epidemiological curves of the 1980's and 1990's suggested an increase in the incidence of melanoma across all age groups, the last 10 years' data indicates a 5% reduction in the incidence of thin melanoma in young individuals aged between 15 and 24. This suggests a positive impact of primary prevention campaigns [1-2]. The risk factors associated with melanoma are different and multifactorial: on one hand there is a genetic predisposition, as evidenced by the increased risk in patients with dysplastic nevus syndrome, with familial melanoma or familial melanoma syndromes; on the other hand, the unprotected interaction between UV rays and phototypes I-II increases the risk of developing melanoma, especially in case of sunburns in pediatric age. This review aims to summarize melanoma epidemiology and risk factors.
PubMed: 34447610
DOI: 10.5826/dpc.11S1a161S -
Dermatology Practical & Conceptual Apr 2018Spark's nevus is a particular type of melanocytic nevus that on histology shows features of both Spitz's and Clark's nevus. Clinically, it is an asymmetric, irregular,...
Spark's nevus is a particular type of melanocytic nevus that on histology shows features of both Spitz's and Clark's nevus. Clinically, it is an asymmetric, irregular, multicolored, pigmented lesion that is not clearly distinguishable from melanoma or dysplastic (Clark's) nevus. Dermoscopic features have not been described yet, and one could speculate that they are similar to those of Clark's nevi because the histopathologic architecture of Spark's nevus is similar to that of a Clark's nevus, resembling Spitz's nevi in the epithelioid morphology of melanocytes. We present a 32-year-old woman with a Spark's nevus, who upon dermoscopy showed a pronounced atypical network with accentuation of the blue veil and mostly peripheral dots.
PubMed: 29785330
DOI: 10.5826/dpc.0802a11