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Am J Dermatopathol 2021 May 11. Epub 2021 May 11.

Departments of Dermatology, and Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC; and AU/UGA Medical Partnership, Medical College of Georgia, Athens, GA.

Abstract: In their 2018 article, Lezcano et al [AJSP 2018(11):1456] show that diffuse tumor cell nuclear reactivity for Preferentially expressed Antigen in Melanoma (PRAME) is a feature of melanoma and that benign and atypical melanocytic tumors are PRAME negative or show only focal positivity for PRAME. We report our observations of PRAME staining in 253 melanocytic tumors. Tumors were classified by hematoxylin and eosin sections. Read More

Ital J Dermatol Venerol 2021 May 13. Epub 2021 May 13.

Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Health Sciences, Alexandrian Campus, International Hellenic University, Thessaloniki, Greece -

Despite the rapid recent advances in molecular analysis of tumors, which allow large-scale and high-resolution genomics, the "gold standard" for melanoma diagnosis continues to be histopathology, in conjunction with clinical characteristics and sometimes with important support of immunohistochemistry. Observations, where postulated that cutaneous melanomas may arise through two distinct pathways, discoveries such as that BRAFV600E mutations were mostly common in melanomas on sun-exposed skin with little solar elastosis and seminal works for melanoma progression and evolution set the groundwork for the new WHO Classification of Melanoma; a classification of melanoma that not only encompasses histologic but also clinical, epidemiologic, and genetic characteristics. The melanomas were divided into those etiologically related to sun exposure and those that are not, based on their mutational signatures, anatomic site, and epidemiology. Read More

Ocul Oncol Pathol 2021 Mar 18;7(2):97-102. Epub 2020 Dec 18.

Department of Ophthalmology, Kansai Medical University, Osaka, Japan.

A 78-year-old female experienced extraocular extension of a giant conjunctival melanocytic mass. The clinical diagnosis was conjunctival malignant melanoma. We performed local excision and histopathological examination. Read More

J Cutan Pathol 2021 May 12. Epub 2021 May 12.

Department of Biopathology, Center Léon Bérard, Lyon, France.

Fusions of ALK, ROS1, NTRK1, NTRK3, RET, MET, MERTK, FGFR1, ERBB4, LCK, BRAF, MAP3K8, MAP3K3, and PRKDC and mutation of HRAS have so far been discovered as the genetic alterations associated with the pathogenesis of Spitz neoplasms. This report presents the first case of NTRK2-rearranged Spitz/Reed nevus. The patient was a 39-year-old male with a pigmented macule rapidly growing on his shoulder. Read More

Talanta 2021 Aug 29;231:122380. Epub 2021 Mar 29.

National Synchrotron Radiation Laboratory, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230029, China. Electronic address:

The rapid differentiation between diseased tissue and healthy normal tissue is of great importance for the intraoperative diagnosis. Herein, desorption electrospray ionization (DESI) and DESI/post-photoionization (DESI/PI) mass spectrometry imaging were combined to in situ visualize the distribution of biochemicals within the tissue regions of human melanocytic nevi under the ambient condition with a spatial resolution of around 200 μm. Plenty of polar and nonpolar lipids were found to be specifically distributed in melanocytic nevi with statistical significance and could be used to differentiate the healthy normal tissue and melanocytic nevi. Read More

J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2021 May 7. Epub 2021 May 7.

Department of Dermatology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy.

Background: Dermoscopy and Reflectance Confocal Microscopy (RCM) features of scalp melanoma according to lesion location and histopathology have not been fully investigated.

Objectives: To reveal dermoscopic and RCM features of scalp melanoma according to lesion location and histopathology.

Methods: We retrospectively retrieved images of suspicious, atypical excised, flat melanocytic lesions of the scalp, assessed on dermoscopy and RCM at five centers, from June 2007 to April 2020. Read More

Arch Craniofac Surg 2021 Apr 20;22(2):122-125. Epub 2021 Apr 20.

Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Wonkwang University Hospital, Iksan, Korea.

Basal cell nevus syndrome (BCNS), also known as basal cell carcinoma nevus syndrome, Gorlin syndrome, Gorlin-Goltz syndrome, and nevoid basal cell carcinoma, is a rare autosomal dominant disorder with a prevalence of approximately 1/60,000. A lower prevalence rate of 1/13,939,393 has also been reported in Korea. We report the case of a 40-year-old male patient with multiple black pigmented macules on the face that first appeared when he was a teenager. Read More

Immun Inflamm Dis 2021 May 6. Epub 2021 May 6.

Department of Dermatology, Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China.

Background: OPN3 upregulation associated with metastasis was recently described in two subtypes of lung cancers. And OPN3 identified in light-independent functions in epidermal melanocytes has already shown promise. However, in malignant melanocytic tissues, the expression and characterization of OPN3 remain uncharacterized. Read More

JAAD Case Rep 2021 May 26;11:78-80. Epub 2021 Mar 26.

Department of Medicine, Dermatology Division, Québec, Canada.

Front Oncol 2021 13;11:658407. Epub 2021 Apr 13.

Eye Center, University Hospital Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.

We describe a case of a 65-year old patient presenting with unusual mucocutaneous melanocytic proliferations of a Bilateral Diffuse Uveal Melanocytic Proliferation (BDUMP) imitating a multifocal melanoma in situ, which improved dramatically after plasmapheresis. The patient first presented at the dermatology department due to rapidly evolving brown and black macules on the glans penis. Further skin involvement of the perineal and perianal region, mamillae and oral mucosa was stated. Read More

Cancers (Basel) 2021 Apr 1;13(7). Epub 2021 Apr 1.

Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Saarland University Medical Center, D-66421 Homburg, Germany.

oncogene located at chromosomal region 3q26 encodes for a transmembrane protein of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and is expressed at high levels in numerous human malignancies. overexpression has been associated with worse prognosis and high risk for lymphatic and distant metastases in head and neck cancer, cervical cancer, hepatocellular cancer, and lung cancer. However, its role in the development and tumor biology of melanocytic lesions has not been investigated so far. Read More

Zhonghua Bing Li Xue Za Zhi 2021 May;50(5):494-499

Department of Pathology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University; Institute of Pathology, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China.

To investigate the clinicopathological characteristics, differential diagnosis and prognosis of nodal nevi (NN). Eighteen cases of NN diagnosed at Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China from 2009 to 2019 were collected. The clinicopathological characteristics and follow-up data were retrospectively analyzed. Read More

Ann Dermatol 2020 Jun 24;32(3):233-236. Epub 2020 Apr 24.

Department of Dermatology, Kosin University College of Medicine, Busan, Korea.

Spark's nevus is a compound word composed of Spitz nevus and Clark's nevus. It is one of the combined melanocytic nevi which is more common in female and usually presents as a sharp circumscribed hyperpigmented macule on the lower extremities. On histopathologic findings, both cytologic features of Spitz nevus characterized as large spindle or epithelioid melanocytes containing large nuclei with abundant cytoplasm, and architecture of Clark's nevus characterized as elongation of rete ridges, bridging of the nests, concentric and lamellar fibrosis can be seen. Read More

J Dermatol 2021 Apr 27. Epub 2021 Apr 27.

Department of Dermatology, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu, Japan.

Dermoscopic images of pigmented lesions have distinct features on the sole where skin ridges and furrows exist. Pigmentation of benign nevus usually locates on the skin furrow, while the malignant melanoma is pigmented on the skin ridge. Correspondence between dermoscopy and pathology in the pigmented lesions on soles have been studied based on conventional vertical pathological images. Read More

J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2021 May;35(5):1040

Second Department of Dermatology-Venereology, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece.

BMJ Case Rep 2021 Apr 16;14(4). Epub 2021 Apr 16.

Ocular Oncology, The Operation Eyesight Univeraal Institute for Eye Cancer, LV Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, Telangana, India

This case report demostrates an unusual occurence of peripunctal nevus and uveal melanoma, in which the clinical diganosis of uveal melanoma was masked by the atypical presentation as phthisis bulbi. Nevertheless, peculiar scleral pigment hinted at a possible intraocular tumour. The importance of meticulous clinical examination in assessment of ocular and periocular pigmented lesions is demonstrated. Read More

Semergen 2021 Apr 13. Epub 2021 Apr 13.

Servicio de Dermatología, Hospital Universitario San Cecilio, Granada, España; Instituto biosanitario de Granada, Ibs, Granada, Spain. Electronic address:

Introduction: Teledermatology (TD) is a health tool based on the application of information and communication technologies (ICT) for the care of skin diseases at a distance, allowing a better connection between primary care professionals (PCP) and specialized care. The objective of this study was to analyze the characteristics of the teleconsultations made to our service in a period of 2years (January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2019).

Material And Methods: The data was obtained from a TD system with dermoscopy that allows teleconsultations to be carried out asynchronously. Read More

Cureus 2021 Mar 13;13(3):e13868. Epub 2021 Mar 13.

Dermatology, Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, USA.

Halo nevi (HN) are acquired melanocytic nevi circumferentially surrounded by a depigmented patch. HN are commonly associated with vitiligo and can be associated with uveal, mucosal, or cutaneous melanoma in certain patient populations. HN may also have localized leukotrichia of terminal hair overlying the nevus. Read More

Acta Dermatovenerol Croat 2020 Dec;28(7):236-237

Prof. Luca Roncati, MD, DMLS, PhD , Polyclinic Hospital, Largo del Pozzo 71 - 41124 , Modena (MO), Italy;

Malignant melanoma (M) can be defined, quite simply, as a malignant neoplasm derived from melanocytes; however, there is great histological and, consequently, clinical variability from case to case (1). In order to try to overcome this intrinsic difficulty, various classification systems have been proposed over the years; as part of this effort, the World Health Organization (WHO) introduced its famous classification about half a century ago (2). Currently, the International Classification of Diseases for Oncology (ICD-O), provided by the WHO International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), distinguishes the in situ forms from invasive ones, recognizing four main morphological subtypes: nodular M, superficial spreading M, lentigo maligna M, and acral lentiginous M (3). Read More

J Cosmet Dermatol 2021 Apr 8. Epub 2021 Apr 8.

Tehran University for Medical Sciences, Department of Dermatology, Pemphigus Research Unit, Razi Hospital, Tehran, Iran.

Background: Changes in the appearance of melanocytic nevi have been increasingly reported following hair removal lasers. This could be a source of anxiety in patients doing cosmetic hair removal lasers. Moreover, taking biopsy of any changed nevus following laser is not routinely practical. Read More

J Am Acad Dermatol 2021 Apr 3. Epub 2021 Apr 3.

Dermatology Unit, Department of Surgical, Medical, Dental and Morphological Sciences with Interest in Transplant, Oncological and Regenerative Medicine, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy; Dermatology Clinic, Department of Clinical Internal, Anesthesiological and Cardiovascular Sciences, La Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.

Background: Digital dermoscopy follow up (DDF) is useful in improving the recognition of melanoma, catching early changes over time, although benign nevi can also show changes. Reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) improves accuracy in diagnosing melanoma and decreases the number of unnecessary resections.

Objective: To evaluate dynamic dermoscopic and RCM changes during follow up of equivocal melanocytic lesions and assess the impact of adjunctive RCM to DDF for melanoma diagnosis. Read More

Neurosciences (Riyadh) 2021 Apr;26(2):207-211

From the Department of Neuroscience, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Blue rubber bleb nevus syndrome (BRBNS) is a rare disorder that is characterized by multiple dome-shaped cutaneous venous malformations on the skin and visceral organs. Typical extra-cutaneous lesions have the appearance of blueish nipple-shaped nodules that can easily compress and refill. We described a rare case of a 23-year-old female with BRBNS and tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) that presented with central nervous system (CNS) involvement including unprovoked focal impaired awareness seizure. Read More

Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol 2021 Apr 3:34894211007236. Epub 2021 Apr 3.

Department of Plastic Surgery, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA.

Objectives: Cerebriform intradermal nevus and giant congenital blue nevi are rarely reported melanocytic nevi with clinical and histopathologic similarities. Both are known to produce cutis verticis gyrata. We report a significantly large occipital scalp congenital blue nevus with secondary cutis verticis gyrata. Read More

Am J Dermatopathol 2021 Mar 30. Epub 2021 Mar 30.

Anatomic Pathology Service, Auckland District Health Board, Auckland, New Zealand.

Abstract: Melanocytic lesions represent a large portion of the workload in many laboratories. Although many melanocytic nevi can be confidently diagnosed based on routine hematoxylin and eosin light microscopy, ancillary testing is often warranted. Various immunohistochemical (IHC) stains are routinely used in the diagnosis of melanocytic lesions. Read More

Am J Ophthalmol Case Rep 2021 Jun 14;22:101059. Epub 2021 Mar 14.

Department of Ophthalmology, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.

Purpose: To report a clinically challenging case of a choroidal nevus with retinal invasion with accompanying ancillary testing.

Observations: A 60-year-old Caucasian female was referred for a suspicious melanocytic choroidal lesion in her left eye. Ophthalmoscopic examination revealed a melanocytic choroidal lesion, measuring 10 mm × 10 mm in basal diameter. Read More

Regen Ther 2021 Dec 14;18:1-6. Epub 2021 Mar 14.

Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, 54 Shogoin, Kawahara-cho, Sakyou-ku, Kyoto, 606-8507, Japan.

Introduction: Curettage and dermabrasion are effective in the treatment of giant congenital melanocytic nevi (GCMN); however, local infection and hypertrophic scar formation are major issues. Thus, we applied cultured epithelial autografts (CEA) on skin defects after curettage or abrasion of GCMN and assessed the postoperative outcomes.

Methods: Seven nevi lesions of five patients (aged 3 months to 24 years) were treated with CEA after curettage or abrasion with a dermatome or a surgical bar, respectively. Read More

Eur J Cancer 2021 May 25;148:340-347. Epub 2021 Mar 25.

Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Hufelandstr. 55, 45122, Essen, Germany; German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany. Electronic address:

Accurate classification of melanocytic proliferations has important implications for prognostic prediction, treatment and follow-up. Although most melanocytic proliferations can be accurately classified using clinical and pathological criteria, classification (specifically distinction between nevus and melanoma) can be challenging in a subset of cases, including those with spitzoid morphology. Genetic studies have shown that mutation profiles differ between primary melanoma subtypes and Spitz nevi. Read More

Histopathology 2021 Mar 27. Epub 2021 Mar 27.

Department of Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston.

An accurate diagnosis of melanocytic lesions requires a thorough histopathologic evaluation accompanied by appropriate correlation with clinical examination findings. Although most melanocytic lesions can readily be classified as one of the defined diagnostic entities using well-established diagnostic criteria, a subset of melanocytic lesions, particularly those with blue nevus-like (pigmented dendritic) morphology, have notoriously been an enduring challenge for pathologists. These lesions are rare and often demonstrate histologic ambiguities with features of both benignity and malignancy, thereby making accurate risk assessment and prediction of their biological behaviors difficult on histologic grounds alone. Read More

Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol 2021 Mar-Apr;87(2):293-297

Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University Hospital, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, South Korea.

Clin Exp Pharmacol Physiol 2021 Mar 25. Epub 2021 Mar 25.

Department of Dermatology, American University of Beirut Medical Centre, Beirut, Lebanon.

Imatinib mesylate is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor used in the treatment of a variety of oncological conditions. It has been associated with a spectrum of pigmentary cutaneous side effects. Despite the well-known association of eruptive melanocytic nevi with the use of other tyrosine kinase inhibitors, this phenomenon has not been linked to the administration of imatinib. Read More