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Cureus Dec 2021Sinonasal mucosa is an area of high melanocyte density compared to other mucosa-lined sites. Sinonasal mucosal melanomas (SNMM) most commonly arise from the nasal cavity...
Sinonasal mucosa is an area of high melanocyte density compared to other mucosa-lined sites. Sinonasal mucosal melanomas (SNMM) most commonly arise from the nasal cavity and the paranasal sinuses. Due to their obscure anatomic location and lack of early symptomatology, SNMM are often diagnosed in an advanced stage. The majority of patients who present with symptoms complain of unilateral nasal dysfunction, such as obstruction and epistaxis. We hereby report a case of an 86-year-old female, who presented with a three-year history of progressive right-sided nasal obstruction and recurrent epistaxis. Posterior rhinoscopy and endoscopy revealed a polypoid, fleshy lesion whose coloration varied from mildly pigmented to amelanotic. Inverted sinonasal papilloma was included in the differential diagnosis due to MRI findings. Post-resection histopathology indicated a mucosal melanoma. Typically, amelanotic lesions are rare, more difficult to diagnose and associated with worse prognosis due to both their aggressiveness and delayed diagnosis.
PubMed: 35141076
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.20819 -
Cureus Dec 2021Primary vaginal amelanotic melanoma (PVAM) is an exceptionally rare aggressive malignancy having a poor prognosis. PVAM shows a high incidence of recurrence, regional...
Primary vaginal amelanotic melanoma (PVAM) is an exceptionally rare aggressive malignancy having a poor prognosis. PVAM shows a high incidence of recurrence, regional spread, and early metastasis that contribute to a high mortality rate. The majority of primary vaginal malignant melanomas are pigmented, and <10% are amelanotic. Because of the absence of melanin pigment in tumor cells, PVAM may mimic other common vaginal malignancies having a more favorable prognosis and may lead to diagnostic conundrum. Knowledge regarding varied histological features and immunohistochemistry can help in establishing the correct diagnosis. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) provides valuable information related to the extent of vaginal malignancy and the involvement of regional lymph nodes. Conservative surgery is used for early-stage disease, whereas advanced stages are treated with radical surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy.
PubMed: 35141058
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.20796 -
International Cancer Conference Journal Jan 2022[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1007/s13691-021-00515-w.].
[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1007/s13691-021-00515-w.].
PubMed: 35129544
DOI: 10.1007/s13691-021-00517-8 -
Journal of Cutaneous Pathology May 2022
Topics: Carcinoma, Squamous Cell; Humans; Melanoma; Melanoma, Amelanotic; Skin Neoplasms
PubMed: 35118708
DOI: 10.1111/cup.14210 -
International Cancer Conference Journal Jan 2022Vitiligo, an acquired depigmenting disorder of the skin that reacts against normal melanocytes, sometimes occurs as an immune-related adverse event in the treatment of...
Vitiligo, an acquired depigmenting disorder of the skin that reacts against normal melanocytes, sometimes occurs as an immune-related adverse event in the treatment of melanoma with immune checkpoint inhibitors. It has been known that the occurrence of vitiligo is associated with a favorable therapeutic response in patients with melanoma, but it is not yet clear whether the association also applies to amelanotic melanoma, a minor subtype of melanoma with little or no melanin pigmentation. We report a patient with amelanotic melanoma of the esophagus who responded well to nivolumab treatment. Shortly after the tumor response, vitiligo was found on the patient's forearms. This case suggests that the occurrence of vitiligo is associated with a favorable response to nivolumab treatment for amelanotic melanoma.
PubMed: 35116218
DOI: 10.1007/s13691-021-00515-w -
The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic... Dec 2021Amelanotic melanoma (AM) is a rare form of melanoma lacking pigment. Data on AM risk factors and factors predicting survival are limited.
BACKGROUND
Amelanotic melanoma (AM) is a rare form of melanoma lacking pigment. Data on AM risk factors and factors predicting survival are limited.
OBJECTIVES
We sought to identify predictors of AM, survival differences in AM and melanotic melanoma, and AM-specific survival rates.
METHODS
Using 2004 through 2015 National Cancer Database data, we compared 358,543 melanoma cases to 1,384 AM cases. Multivariable logistic regression identified AM risk factors, and AM survival was explored using Kaplan-Meier and multivariable Cox regression.
RESULTS
Increased age; tumor location on the face, scalp, and neck; increased Breslow thickness; metastatic disease; ulceration; and higher mitotic rate were associated with AM. Five- and ten-year survival rates were higher for patients with MM (melanotic melanoma) than AM tumors (75.4% vs. 58.8% and 62.4% vs 45.1%; log-rank <0.0001). No survival difference was seen after adjusting for staging factors. Among patients with AM, more recent diagnosis was associated with improved survival. Increased age, T4 tumor size, higher N-stage, metastasis, and ulceration predicted poorer survival. No survival advantage was seen for chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or radiation therapy, likely due to confounding.
CONCLUSION
AM is more common in older patients on sun-exposed skin and is diagnosed at later stages. Advanced staging at diagnosis explains the survival differences. In patients with AM, regional and metastatic disease were the primary contributors of poorer outcomes. In at-risk patients, the threshold to biopsy should be lower for suspicious nonpigmented lesions.
PubMed: 35096253
DOI: No ID Found -
Taiwan Journal of Ophthalmology 2021We aim to report the management of a patient who presented with a choroidal mass masquerading as an amelanotic choroidal melanoma. A 57-year-old male presented with...
We aim to report the management of a patient who presented with a choroidal mass masquerading as an amelanotic choroidal melanoma. A 57-year-old male presented with defective vision in his right eye, which was associated with mild periocular pain. Fundus examination showed a large dome-shaped yellowish-orange subretinal mass in the macular region and exudative retinal detachment (RD). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a 16 mm × 8 mm choroidal mass, which was hyperintense on T1-weighted images and hypointense on T2-weighted images. B-scan ultrasonography revealed a dome-shaped mass with homogeneous echogenicity, inferior RD, and fluid collection in the sub-Tenon space. There was no choroidal excavation. He was diagnosed as nodular posterior scleritis (NPS) with exudative RD in the right eye. The lesion regressed completely after treatment with oral steroids. Choroidal mass can pose a diagnostic dilemma to ophthalmologists. Atypical MRI features can further augment the confusion. Despite its low incidence, NPS should always be kept as a differential in the presence of an amelanotic choroidal mass.
PubMed: 35070674
DOI: 10.4103/tjo.tjo_20_21 -
Molecular Biology Reports Apr 2022Baicalin and baicalein have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective and anti-cancer properties. However, it is not known how a static magnetic field will modify...
BACKGROUND
Baicalin and baicalein have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective and anti-cancer properties. However, it is not known how a static magnetic field will modify these properties. Therefore, the aim of our study was to evaluate the simultaneous exposure of melanoma cells to flavones and the static magnetic fields that are generated by permanent magnets on the gene expression and the activity of the antioxidant enzymes that are associated with the antioxidant defense system.
METHODS AND RESULTS
Melanoma cells that had been treated with baicalin or baicalein were subjected to a static magnetic fields with a moderate induction. The static magnetic field was emitted by permanent magnets and the cell cultures were carried out in special test chambers. The research included determining the activity of the antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and catalase) as well as the gene expression profile. The addition of the flavones to the cell cultures at a concentration of 50 µmol/L resulted increase in the expression of the SOD1, SOD2 and GPX1 genes compared to the nontreated cell cultures. Simultaneous exposure of the melanoma cells to static magnetic field and baicalin or baicalein reduced their mRNA levels compared to the cultures to which only baicalin or baicalein had been added. The change in gene expression was accompanied by changes at the protein level associated with an increase in the activity of antioxidant enzymes.
CONCLUSION
We showed that baicalin or baicalein have anticancer properties by disturbing the redox homeostasis in melanoma cells and also increases the antioxidant system gene expression. There was also an antagonistic interaction between the studied flavones and the static magnetic field, which cause a decrease in the anticancer effects of baicalin or baicalein.
Topics: Cell Culture Techniques; Flavanones; Flavonoids; Humans; Magnetic Fields; Melanoma, Amelanotic; Skin Neoplasms
PubMed: 35059971
DOI: 10.1007/s11033-022-07148-z -
International Journal of Molecular... Jan 2022Malignant melanoma is still a serious medical problem. Relatively high mortality, a still-growing number of newly diagnosed cases, and insufficiently effective methods...
Malignant melanoma is still a serious medical problem. Relatively high mortality, a still-growing number of newly diagnosed cases, and insufficiently effective methods of therapy necessitate melanoma research. Tetracyclines are compounds with pleiotropic pharmacological properties. Previously published studies on melanotic melanoma cells ascertained that minocycline and doxycycline exerted an anti-melanoma effect. The purpose of the study was to assess the anti-melanoma potential and mechanisms of action of minocycline and doxycycline using A375 and C32 human amelanotic melanoma cell lines. The obtained results indicate that the tested drugs inhibited proliferation, decreased cell viability, and induced apoptosis in amelanotic melanoma cells. The treatment caused changes in the cell cycle profile and decreased the intracellular level of reduced thiols and mitochondrial membrane potential. The exposure of A375 and C32 cells to minocycline and doxycycline triggered the release of cytochrome c and activated initiator and effector caspases. The anti-melanoma effect of analyzed drugs appeared to be related to the up-regulation of ERK1/2 and MITF. Moreover, it was noticed that minocycline and doxycycline increased the level of LC3A/B, an autophagy marker, in A375 cells. In summary, the study showed the pleiotropic anti-cancer action of minocycline and doxycycline against amelanotic melanoma cells. Considering all results, it could be concluded that doxycycline was a more potent drug than minocycline.
Topics: Antineoplastic Agents; Apoptosis; Autophagy; Biomarkers, Tumor; Caspases; Cell Cycle; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Proliferation; Cell Survival; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Doxycycline; Humans; Melanoma, Amelanotic; Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial; Minocycline
PubMed: 35055021
DOI: 10.3390/ijms23020831 -
Romanian Journal of Ophthalmology 2021To describe a clinical case of atypical posterior scleritis mimicking an amelanotic choroidal melanoma. Observational case report of a 54-year-old woman who presented...
To describe a clinical case of atypical posterior scleritis mimicking an amelanotic choroidal melanoma. Observational case report of a 54-year-old woman who presented to the emergency department with photophobia and blurred vision in her left eye for three days. The development of a raised hypopigmented lesion superior to the papilla with choroidal folds and without vitritis simulated an amelanotic choroidal melanoma. Differential diagnosis took into consideration other compatible entities, including choroidal masses or orbital pseudotumor. The patient was subject to full clinical examination, laboratory test, optical coherence tomography, orbital echography, and magnetic resonance imaging. Treatment with oral prednisone showed a significant improvement in all clinical and anatomical parameters. Posterior scleritis is characterized by great clinical variability and sometimes can simulate an amelanotic choroidal melanoma. Performing an appropriate differential diagnosis of a large amelanotic lesion is the most important point during a routine ocular examination due to the implications for the patient. Posterior scleritis is a rare and incompletely understood inflammatory disease that affects the posterior part of the sclera. It can be associated with a range of conditions and very often is underdiagnosed. In about one third of the cases, it is related to some systemic disease, especially to autoimmune entity, so it may require a multidisciplinary approach. This case highlighted the importance of a solid differential diagnosis and an early treatment in order to help prevent the appearance of complications that can limit not only the visual outcome of the patient but even his survival in the most extreme cases. LE = left eye; RE = right eye; BCVA = best corrected visual acuity; BO = both eyes; IOP = intraocular pressure; OCT = optical coherence tomography; MRI = Magnetic Resonance Imaging.
Topics: Choroid Neoplasms; Female; Humans; Melanoma; Middle Aged; Scleritis; Ultrasonography; Vision Disorders
PubMed: 35036653
DOI: 10.22336/rjo.2021.57