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Skin Health and Disease Apr 2023Lichen sclerosus (LSc) is a chronic, inflammatory, destructive skin disease with a predilection for the genitalia (GLSc). An association with vulval (Vu) and penile (Pe)... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Lichen sclerosus (LSc) is a chronic, inflammatory, destructive skin disease with a predilection for the genitalia (GLSc). An association with vulval (Vu) and penile (Pe) squamous carcinoma (SCC) is now well established but melanoma (MM) has only rarely been reported complicating GLSc.
METHODS
We have performed a systematic literature review of GLSc in patients with genital melanoma (GMM). Only articles that mentioned both GMM and LSc affecting either the penis or vulva were included.
RESULTS
Twelve studies with a total of 20 patients were included. Our review shows that an association of GLSc with GMM has been more frequently reported in women and female children than men viz, 17 cases compared with three. It is notable that five of the cases (27.8%) concerned female children aged under twelve.
DISCUSSION
These data suggest a rare association between GLSc and GMM. If proven, there arise intriguing questions about pathogenesis and consequences for counselling of patients and follow-up.
PubMed: 37013116
DOI: 10.1002/ski2.198 -
Cancers Oct 2022Cutaneous melanoma is a relatively common neoplasm, with fairly well understood pathogenesis, risk factors, prognosis and therapeutic protocols. The incidence of this... (Review)
Review
Cutaneous melanoma is a relatively common neoplasm, with fairly well understood pathogenesis, risk factors, prognosis and therapeutic protocols. The incidence of this disease is increasing every year. The situation is different for rare malignancies such as vulvar melanomas and for the even rarer vaginal melanomas. The risk factors for vulvovaginal tumors are not fully understood. The basis of treatment in both cases is surgical resection; however, other types of treatments such as immunotherapy are available. This paper focuses on comparing the pathogenesis and risk factors associated with these neoplasms as well as the efficacy of two groups of drugs-anti-PD-L1 and anti-CTLA4 inhibitors-against both cutaneous melanoma and melanoma of the lower genital tract (vulva and vagina). In the case of cutaneous melanoma, the situation looks more optimistic than for vulvovaginal melanoma, which has a much worse prognosis and, as it turns out, shows a poorer response to immune therapy.
PubMed: 36291906
DOI: 10.3390/cancers14205123 -
Journal of the American Academy of... Feb 2020
Topics: Administration, Topical; Age of Onset; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Asymptomatic Diseases; Calcineurin Inhibitors; Child; Child, Preschool; Diagnosis, Differential; Disease Progression; Female; Glucocorticoids; Humans; Melanoma; Skin Neoplasms; Vulva; Vulvar Lichen Sclerosus; Vulvar Neoplasms
PubMed: 31712176
DOI: 10.1016/j.jaad.2019.11.012 -
Dermatology Reports Nov 2022Vulvar malignant melanoma (VMM) is uncommon and poses a significant management challenge. Here, we presented a case of VMM managed by surgery, chemoradiation, and...
Vulvar malignant melanoma (VMM) is uncommon and poses a significant management challenge. Here, we presented a case of VMM managed by surgery, chemoradiation, and planned for targeted therapy. A 70- year-old woman with underlying diabetes mellitus and hypertension presented with a black-colored exophytic growth around her left vulva for two months. Initial biopsy confirmed malignant melanoma with positive staining for S100, HMB 45, and Melan A. An imaging study showed that the disease was localized to the vulva. She underwent bilateral radical vulvectomy and bilateral inguinofemoral lymph node dissection followed by radiotherapy. She had a locoregional disease recurrence, which was subsequently managed by palliative perineal radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and planned for immunotherapy. Vulvar malignant melanoma is a rare and aggressive tumor, with a poor overall prognosis, and high recurrence rate. Adjuvant chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and immunotherapy may be beneficial for local recurrence and distant metastasis cases. Molecular Analysis has a potential role in targeted therapy to improve the survival and outcome of the patient.
PubMed: 36483218
DOI: 10.4081/dr.2022.9345 -
Journal of the American Academy of... Dec 2019Vulvar malignancies represent a serious gynecologic health concern, especially given the increasing incidence over the past several decades. Squamous cell carcinoma and... (Review)
Review
Vulvar malignancies represent a serious gynecologic health concern, especially given the increasing incidence over the past several decades. Squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma are common subtypes, although other neoplasms, such as basal cell carcinoma and Paget disease of the vulva, might be seen. Many vulvar cancers are initially misdiagnosed as inflammatory conditions, delaying diagnosis and worsening prognosis. It is essential that dermatologists are familiar with characteristic findings for each malignancy to ensure appropriate diagnosis and management. Herein, we review the unique epidemiologic and clinical characteristics of each major vulvar malignancy, as well as discuss their respective prognoses and current management recommendations.
Topics: Carcinoma, Squamous Cell; Female; Humans; Melanoma; Paget Disease, Extramammary; Vulvar Neoplasms
PubMed: 31349045
DOI: 10.1016/j.jaad.2019.07.055 -
Biomedicines Jan 2022Mucosal melanomas (MM) are rare tumors, being less than 2% of all diagnosed melanomas, comprising a variegated group of malignancies arising from melanocytes in... (Review)
Review
Mucosal melanomas (MM) are rare tumors, being less than 2% of all diagnosed melanomas, comprising a variegated group of malignancies arising from melanocytes in virtually all mucosal epithelia, even if more frequently found in oral and sino-nasal cavities, ano-rectum and female genitalia (vulva and vagina). To date, there is no consensus about the optimal management strategy of MM. Furthermore, the clinical rationale of molecular tumor characterization regarding BRAF, KIT or NRAS, as well as the therapeutic value of immunotherapy, chemotherapy and targeted therapy, has not yet been deeply explored and clearly established in MM. In this overview, focused on anorectal and genital MM as models of rare melanomas deserving of a multidisciplinary approach, we highlight the need of referring these patients to centers with experts in melanoma, anorectal and uro-genital cancers treatments. Taking into account the rarity, the poor outcomes and the lack of effective treatment options for MM, tailored research needs to be promptly promoted.
PubMed: 35052829
DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10010150 -
Asian Journal of Urology Oct 2022Genitourinary (GU) melanoma is a rare presentation of melanoma accounting for approximately 0.5% of all melanomas. GU melanomas include primary melanomas of the vulva,... (Review)
Review
Genitourinary (GU) melanoma is a rare presentation of melanoma accounting for approximately 0.5% of all melanomas. GU melanomas include primary melanomas of the vulva, vagina, uterine cervix, ovary, penis, scrotum, urethra, bladder, ureter, and kidney. These melanomas are often diagnosed in advanced stages and stigma is thought to contribute to delays in presentation. As the likely diagnosing provider, it is imperative that dermatologists, urologists, and gynecologists are aware of these uncommon sites of presentation. While there have been major advances in the treatment of melanomas as a whole in the last 10 years, their applications to GU melanomas have often been overlooked. GU melanomas have not been included in many of the major phase III clinical trials which brought contemporary advanced treatments to market and the prognoses for GU melanomas remain poor. Due to the rarity of GU melanomas, much of the literature provides generalized recommendations across multiple different organs affected by GU melanomas or omits certain topics, making it difficult to appreciate the fundamentals of the individual presentations. This review aimed to provide background information on the pathogenesis and epidemiology of the different sites of GU melanomas and categorize data specific to the presentation, staging, treatment, and prognosis of each type of GU melanoma to guide the clinician. It was also meant to encourage a multidisciplinary approach to the management of these patients as it spans the expertise of surgical oncologists, medical oncologists, radiation oncologist, dermatologists, urologists, and gynecologists.
PubMed: 36381597
DOI: 10.1016/j.ajur.2022.01.003 -
Human Pathology Jan 2023Female genital tract melanoma (FGTM) is a rare and aggressive melanocytic malignancy, and its clinico-pathological and prognostic features at different anatomic sites...
Female genital tract melanoma (FGTM) is a rare and aggressive melanocytic malignancy, and its clinico-pathological and prognostic features at different anatomic sites have not yet been fully described. We retrospectively analyzed and compared the clinico-pathological data and survival outcomes of patients with primary lower genital tract melanoma enrolled between January 2005 and December 2020. We identified 95 patients with FGTM, of whom 46 had vulvar melanomas (VuM), 43 had vaginal melanomas (VaM), and six had cervical melanomas (CM). The clinical characteristics of all 95 cases, including symptoms, single or multiple primary lesions, clinical stage, surgery, and histopathological characteristics of 62 primary untreated cases, including pigmentation, predominant cytology, histological pattern, mitotic figures, and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes of VuM, VaM, and CM, differed significantly. In comparison, only trend differences in molecular alternations were evident (p = 0.077). Disease-specific survival (DSS) was 30.7% at 5 years (46.5%, 25.6%, and 44.4% for VuM, VaM and CM, respectively). Seventy-one (85.5%) patients experienced FGTM recurrence. The median time to the first recurrence was 11 months, and VaM recurred earlier than VM and CM (16, 6, and 10 months for VuM, VaM, and CM, respectively, p = 0.038). A univariate analysis of 50 cases revealed the negative factors of disease-specific survival (DSS), including the location of the vagina and the presence of ulceration, and the negative factors of recurrence-free survival (RFS), including multiple lesions, the presence of ulceration, and the presence of lymphovascular invasion. Multiple lesions showed a borderline correlation with DSS. A multivariate Cox regression analyses of 50 cases revealed that the presence of ulceration was associated with shorter DSS and RFS (yes vs. no, Hazard Ratio = 2.400 and 2.716, respectively). Vaginal location showed a significant correlation with DSS (Hazard Ratio = 2.750, p = 0.024). In conclusion, vulval, vaginal, and cervical melanomas may differ in terms of their clinico-pathological features and associations with DSS and RFS. Ulceration and vaginal location were significantly associated with shorter DSS, and ulceration was associated with an increased risk of FGTM recurrence.
Topics: Humans; Female; Prognosis; Retrospective Studies; Melanoma; Skin Neoplasms; Vulvar Neoplasms; Vaginal Neoplasms; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms; Vagina
PubMed: 36370822
DOI: 10.1016/j.humpath.2022.11.002 -
Journal of Gynecologic Oncology Sep 2020Melanoma comprises 5% to 10% of vulvar cancers and prognosis is poor. The purpose of this study was to identify prognostic factors and treatment patterns for vulvar...
OBJECTIVE
Melanoma comprises 5% to 10% of vulvar cancers and prognosis is poor. The purpose of this study was to identify prognostic factors and treatment patterns for vulvar melanoma using the National Cancer Database (NCDB).
METHODS
The NCDB was queried for patients with invasive vulvar melanoma from 2004-2015. Descriptive statistics were generated to describe clinical and treatment details. Multivariable Cox regression and the Kaplan-Meier method were used to examine overall survival (OS).
RESULTS
1,917 patients with vulvar melanoma met inclusion criteria. Median follow-up time was 32 months (range, 0-151 months). Older age, larger tumor size, advanced disease stage, increased Charlson-Deyo comorbidity score, and care at a non-academic center were independent predictors for decreased OS. Surgical management of the primary site, lymph node surgery, and insurance provided a significant survival benefit. Use of immunotherapy for vulvar melanoma has increased over time. Two-year OS with immunotherapy in patients with distant metastatic disease was higher, although this did not reach statistical significance (33% vs. 12%, p=0.054).
CONCLUSIONS
Vulvar melanoma has a poor prognosis for those with regional and distant metastatic disease. Extent of disease, tumor size, and patient age are important prognostic factors. Other favorable factors included insurance and surgical management. The use of immunotherapy has increased over time and may improve survival in those with distant disease. These data support further investigation into the role of immunotherapy for vulvar melanoma to optimize outcomes.
Topics: Aged; Female; Humans; Medicare; Melanoma; Neoplasm Staging; Prognosis; Retrospective Studies; United States; Vulvar Neoplasms
PubMed: 32808496
DOI: 10.3802/jgo.2020.31.e66 -
Bladder Cancer (Amsterdam, Netherlands) 2022Mucosal melanoma involving the urethra is a rare disease with distinct clinical and molecular characteristics and poor outcomes. Our current knowledge is limited by the...
BACKGROUND
Mucosal melanoma involving the urethra is a rare disease with distinct clinical and molecular characteristics and poor outcomes. Our current knowledge is limited by the small number of reports regarding this disease.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the clinical, pathological, and molecular characteristics of urethral melanoma.
METHODS
We summarized the clinicopathologic data for 31 patients treated for urethral melanoma from 1986-2017 at our institution. Genomic data from our institutional sequencing platform MSK-IMPACT ( = 5) and gene-specific PCR data on , , and/or ( = 8) were compared to genomic data of cutaneous melanomas ( = 143), vulvar/vaginal melanomas ( = 24), and primary non-melanoma urethral tumors ( = 5) from our institutional database.
RESULTS
Twenty-three patients were diagnosed with localized disease, 7 had regional/nodal involvement and one had metastases. Initial treatment included surgery in 25 patients; seven had multimodal treatment. Median follow-up was 46 months (IQR 33-123). Estimated 5-year cancer-specific survival was 45%. No significant change in survival was observed based on a year of treatment.Primary urethral melanomas showed a higher frequency of mutations compared to cutaneous (80.0% vs. 18.2%, = 0.006) and vulvar/vaginal melanomas (80.0 vs. 25.0%, = 0.04). mutations were absent in urethral primaries (0% vs. 46% in cutaneous melanoma, = 0.02). Tumor mutation burden was higher in cutaneous than urethral melanomas ( = 0.04). Urethral melanomas had a higher number of somatic alterations compared to non-melanoma urethral tumors (median 11 vs. 5, = 0.03).
CONCLUSIONS
Our findings support a unique mutational landscape of urethral melanoma compared to cutaneous melanoma. Survival remains poor and is unchanged over the time studied.
PubMed: 36277327
DOI: 10.3233/BLC-211633