Spitzoid melanocytic tumors / 中华皮肤科杂志

Clinical and histological features of Spitz nevi, atypical Spitz tumors and spitzoid melanoma overlap each other, making their identification challenging. Combined with clinical and histological features of spitzoid melanocytic tumors, this review summarizes research progress in their immunohistochemical features and application of fluorescence in situ hybridization in their identification.

Recurrence of melanoma in the scar after excised Spitz nevus in a 17-year-old child

Abstract Melanoma in childhood is rare and its diagnosis is more difficult than in adults, as it often presents histologic features overlapping with the Spitz nevus. The authors report the case of a 17-year old boy who was first diagnosed with Spitz nevus, however, the final diagnosis made after the excision of the tumor arising in the scar was changed to melanoma. The case in this present study emphasizes the importance of the differential diagnosis of skin tumors in young patients.

Spitz nevus and infliximab: association or coincidence?

Abstract Biological therapies, including anti-TNF agents, are important in the treatment of various chronic inflammatory diseases, including psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis or inflammatory bowel disease. The increased use of these drugs translates into an increasing awareness of its adverse effects, which include malignancy. In this paper, we describe the case of a 28-year-old woman who developed a spitzoid melanocytic tumor after starting infliximab therapy for ulcerative colitis. The evidence for causality between anti-TNF and melanocytic proliferations is still sparse; nonetheless, treatment-associated immunosuppression seems to play a key role in this phenomenon. Therefore, a regular follow-up with a rigorous skin examination is essential in these patients. Noninvasive techniques such as dermoscopy or reflectance confocal microscopy are particularly useful diagnostic tools in these circumstances.

Eruptive disseminated Spitz nevi - Case report

Abstract Spitz nevus is a benign melanocytic lesion, which presents in several ways: solitary, agminated, or disseminated. The disseminated variant is uncommon; it may have a rapid evolution (the eruptive form) and be difficult to manage. This report presents the case of a 24-year-old patient with multiple papules on his limbs, which had appeared four years previously. On physical examination, 120 pink and skin-colored papules were seen, which under dermoscopy were observed to be homogeneous, pink vascular lesions. Histopathologic study revealed epithelioid cells arranged in groups or singly in the dermis and dermo-epidermal junction. They were HMB-45 positive in the superficial dermis, and Ki-67 < 1%. Given these findings, a diagnosis of eruptive disseminated Spitz nevi was made.

Melanoma spitzoide simulando lesão vascular - Relato de caso / Spitzoid melanoma simulating vascular lesion - Case report

O melanoma maligno é um tumor de melanócitos responsável por mais de 75% dos óbitos por câncer de pele. As variantes raras desta patologia são responsáveis por 5% dos casos e podem mimetizar outras patologias. Relatamos caso de paciente com melanoma spitzoide e discutimos os achados dermatoscópicos, histopatológicos e estudo imuno-histoquímico, assim como o seguimento desta rara variante de melanoma.

Malignant melanoma is a melanocyte tumor responsible for more than 75% of skin cancer deaths. The rare variants of this pathology are responsible for 5% of the cases and may mimic other pathologies. We report the case of a patient with spitzoid melanoma and we discuss the dermoscopic, histopathological, and immunohistochemical findings, as well as the follow-up of this rare variant of melanoma.

Nevo de Spitz en la infancia: el gran simulador de melanoma / Spitz nevus in childhood: the great melanoma simulator

El melanoma infantil ha aumentado su incidencia en los últimos años. Clínicamente suele presentarse como como una lesión amelanótica o con escaso pigmento, sobreelevada, en ocasiones sangrante. El principal diagnóstico diferencial se plantea con lesiones banales, y en ocasiones con lesiones melanocíticas como el nevo de Spitz/Reed. El nevo de Spitz se caracteriza por ser una pápula redondeada, solitaria, color piel topografiada en cara o extremidades. El nevo de Reed se presenta como un tumor plano o sobreelevado, oscuro, más frecuentemente en miembros inferiores. El tratamiento del mismo depende de la edad del paciente. En menores de doce años con lesiones típicas, suele tomarse una conducta expectante, mientras que si estas lesiones aparecen luego de esta edad se recomienda la exéresis, ya que podría tratarse de un melanoma.

The incidence of pediatric melanoma has been increasing. The most frequent clinical presentation is amelanotic lesions, lacking pigmentation and usually elevated, sometimes bleeding. Differential diagnosis includes benign lesions and may also include melanocytic lesions such as Spitz/Reed nevi. Spitz nevus usually presents as a solitary, rounded or oval papule, skin coloured, mainly affecting the face or limbs. Reed nevus is characterized by a dark tumor plane or elevated, often affecting the lower limbs. The treatment of these nevi depends on the patient´s age. Children under 12 years old with a typical lesion may undergo clinical and dermoscopic follow-up. In older patients, excision is recommended due to the probability of melanoma.

Spitz nevi in the classic histopathological pattern - lamb in wolf`s clothing

Spitz nevus is a benign melanocytic lesion and also one of the main differential diagnosis of melanoma. A descriptive and retrospective study of surgical specimens from patients with a diagnosis of Spitz nevus was conducted at two institutions in Niterói - RJ. 32 cases were analyzed. The most frequent histological subtype was compound (60 %), with a predominance of epithelioid cells (17 cases - 53%). Pagetoid spread was observed in 21 cases (68%). Maturation of melanocytes was present in 13 cases (81%). Kamino bodies were found in eight cases (25%). Atypical melanocytes were present in 18 cases (56%). Mitoses were present in 11 cases (34%). Detailed knowledge of the classical form of Spitz nevi is essential for the differential diagnosis with melanoma. However, no single criterium is definitive in the differential diagnosis between Spitz nevus and melanoma.

Desmoplastic melanoma associated with an intraepidermal lentiginous lesion: case report and literature review / Melanoma desmoplásico associado a lesão lentiginosa intraepidérmica, com evolução de 10 anos: relato de caso e revisão bibliográfica

Desmoplastic melanoma tends to present as firm, amelanotic papules. Microscopically, it reveals a proliferation of fusiform cells in the dermis and variable collagen deposition, as well as intraepidermal melanocytic proliferation of lentiginous type in most cases. Biopsy in a 61-year-old white male patient, who had received a diagnosis of lentigo maligna on his face 10 years before, revealed a proliferation of dermal pigmented spindle cells and collagen deposition, reaching the deep reticular dermis, with a lentiginous component. Immunohistochemistry with S-100, Melan-A and WT1 showed positivity, but it was weak with HMB45. Desmoplastic melanoma associated with lentigo maligna was diagnosed. Several authors discuss whether desmoplastic melanoma represents a progression from the lentiginous component or arises "de novo". Desmoplastic melanoma represents a minority of cases of primary cutaneous melanoma (less than 4%). Identification of lentigo maligna indicates that desmoplastic melanoma should be carefully investigated.

Os melanomas desmoplásicos apresentam-se como pápulas amelanóticas firmes; à microscopia exibem proliferação de células fusiformes na derme e variável deposição de colágeno, além de proliferação melanocítica lentiginosa, intraepidérmica, na maioria dos casos. Realizada biópsia de pele de paciente masculino, 61 anos, branco, com diagnóstico de lentigo maligno na face, há 10 anos. O exame histopatológico revela proliferação dérmica de células fusiformes pigmentadas e deposição de colágeno, invadindo até a profundidade da derme reticular, associado a componente lentiginoso; presença de positividade imuno-histoquímica com S-100, Melan-A e WT1, e marcação fraca com HMB45. Diagnóstico de melanoma desmoplásico, associado a lentigo maligno. Existe divergência quanto à origem do melanoma desmoplásico, a partir do componente lentiginoso ou "de novo", na ausência de lentigo associado. O melanoma desmoplásico representa uma minoria dos casos de melanoma cutâneo primário (menos de 4%). A presença de lentigo maligno pode servir de sinal de alerta para possível relação com melanoma desmoplásico.

Spitz nevus and Reed nevus / Nevo de Spitz e nevo de Reed

Spitz and Reed nevi, also called spindle and/or epithelioid cell nevi, are a special group of melanocytic lesions due to their peculiar clinical, dermoscopic and histopathological features. The study of these nevi is of great interest because both their nomenclature and classification are still a matter of discussion. Most importantly, the difficulty to differentiate them from melanoma can lead to inadequate therapies. In this context, dermoscopy, a link between clinical and anatomopathological examinations, appears as a helpful diagnostic tool whose accuracy can reach 93%. "Borderline" lesions are still a great challenge and object of research, including molecular studies. The present study explores the relevant characteristics of these nevi, with emphasis on dermoscopic findings, aiming at understanding their natural history, as well as discussing treatment and patient follow-up.

Os nevos de Spitz e de Reed, ou também chamados nevos de células fusiformes e/ou epitelióides, formam um grupo especial de lesões melanocíticas, por suas características peculiares, tanto clínicas como dermatoscópicas e histopatológicas. Torna-se grande o interesse no estudo desses nevos, pois tanto a nomenclatura como a classificação ainda são motivos de debate e, sobretudo, a dificuldade de diferenciação com o melanoma pode gerar condutas terapêuticas inadequadas. Neste contexto, surge a dermatoscopia, elo entre o exame clínico e o anatomopatológico, como método diagnóstico auxiliar importante cuja acurácia pode chegar a 93%. A grande dificuldade ainda são as lesões "borderline", motivo de pesquisas, incluindo estudos moleculares. O presente estudo aborda os aspectos relevantes das características destes nevos, com ênfase nos achados dermatoscópicos, buscando o entendimento da sua história natural, além da discussão quanto ao tratamento e seguimento dos pacientes.

Nevo de células fusiformes de Reed na conjuntiva / Spindle cell nevus of Reed in the conjunctiva

Os autores relatam um caso de nevo de Reed, lesão que apresenta aspecto histológico de malignidade, mas tem evolução benigna. Paciente de 48 anos, masculino, cor parda, apresentava pterígio nasal no olho direito, associado a uma lesão pequena e pouco pigmentada localizada na cabeça do mesmo. Realizou-se exérese de ambos, sem intercorrências, sem sinais de recidiva. O exame histopatológico revelou lesão com bordas definidas, restrita ao epitélio, constituída por células fusiformes perpendiculares à superfície, com pigmentação melânica esparsa. O diagnóstico inicial foi nevo de Spitz, mas, posteriormente, chegou-se à conclusão que se tratava do nevo de células fusiformes de Reed. O presente relato é o segundo na literatura mundial e o primeiro no Brasil.

The authors report one case of nevus of Reed, which has histological aspect of malignancy, but a benign evolution. A 48-years-old brown skin male presented nasal pterygium in right eye, associated with a small and poorly pigmented lesion located on the pterygium head. Both were excised without complications and, currently, there is no recidivation. The histopathological examination revealed one lesion with defined edges, limited to the epithelium, consisted of spindle cells perpendiculars to the surface and with sparse melanin pigmentation. The initial diagnosis was Spitz nevus, but, afterwards, we concluded that was the spindle cell nevus of Reed. This report is the second in the international literature and the first in Brazil.

Nevo de Spitz: relato de caso e dermatoscopia / Spitz nevus: a case report and the use of dermoscopy

O nevo de Spitz é uma lesão melanocítica benigna com características clínicas e histopatológicas semelhantes às do melanoma. Foi descrito em 1948, mas até hoje, ainda, existe grande controvérsia no seu diagnóstico e conduta. A utilização da dermatoscopia pode aumentar a sua acurácia diagnóstica. As características dermatoscópicas do nevo de Spitz incluem um padrão estelar (starburst), que é o mais frequente, seguido do padrão globular e do padrão atípico. O diagnóstico deve ser confirmado por exame histopatológico, principalmente, nos casos atípicos.

The Spitz nevus is a benign melanocytic lesion with clinical and histopathological features similar to those of melanoma. It was first described in 1948 but great controversy still remains today with respect to its diagnosis and management. The use of dermoscopy may increase diagnostic accuracy. In Spitz nevus, the most common dermoscopic finding is a starburst-like pattern, followed by globular and atypical patterns. Diagnosis must be confirmed by histopathology, particularly in atypical cases.

Expression of insulin-like growth factor-Ⅱ (IGF-Ⅱ) mRNA-binding protein-3 in malignant melanoma and benign nevi / 中华皮肤科杂志

Objective To investigate the expression of insulin-like growth factor-Ⅱ(IGF-Ⅱ) mRNAbinding protein-3 (IMP3) in tissue of benign nevi and malignant melanoma,and to evaluate the role of IMP3 in the development and diagnosis of malignant melanoma.Methods Immunohistochemistry was performed to measure the expression of IMP3 in tissue samples from 28 cases of malignant melanoma,8 Spitz nevi,6 dysplastic nevi and 25 benign nevi.Results Immunohistochemically,IMP3 was observed in 23 of 28 melanoma samples,4 of 8 Spitz nevus samples and 2 of 6 dysplastic nevus samples,but not in benign nevus samples.The expression level of IMP3 wag significantly higher in tissue of melanoma than in that of Spitz nevi and dysplastic nevi (both P<0.05),also higher in tissue of aggressive melanoma than that of melanoma in situ(P<0.01).Conclusions IMP3 seems to be a biomarker for the progression of benign nevi to malignant melanoma,and may be utilized to distinguish melanoma from benign nevi.