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.

Neoplasias melanocíticas spitzoides: estudio clínico-histopatológico de 62 lesiones en un hospital universitario chileno / Spitzoid melanocytic neoplasms: clinical-histopathological study of 62 lesions in a Chilean university hospital

INTRODUCCIÓN: Las neoplasias spitzoides son tumores melanocíticos con un espectro biológico variable, que constituyen un desafío diagnóstico. Los estudios en población latinoamericana son muy escasos, no contando con series chilenas. OBJETIVO: Caracterizar clínica e histopatológicamente a los pacientes con neoplasias spitzoides en el Hospital Clínico de la Universidad de Chile. METODOLOGÍA: Estudio retrospectivo, basado en revisión de fichas clínicas y biopsias de pacientes con diagnóstico confirmado de nevo de Spitz (NS), tumor de Spitz atípico y melanoma spitzoide, entre 1995-2018. Se analizó: edad, sexo, características clínicas e histopatológicas. RESULTADOS: Se estudiaron 62 neoplasias spitzoides. 39 mujeres (62,9%). Edad promedio de 18,9 (+14,3) años. Localización de lesiones: 8 (12,9%) cabeza, 6 (9,7%) tronco, 17 (27,4%) extremidades superiores y 22 (35,5%) extremidades inferiores; en 9 (14,5%) no se registró. Tamaño promedio 5,5 mm. Respecto al diagnóstico clínico: 21 (33,9%) nevo melanocítico, 16 (25,8%) nevo atípico, 12 (19,4%) NS, 7 (11,3%) lesiones vasculares, 3 (4,8%) melanoma y 3 (4,8%) otro. En cuanto al diagnóstico histopatológico: NS clásico 38 (61,3%), Nevo de Reed 9 (14,5%), NS desmoplásico 2 (3,2%), NS atípico 8 (12,9%) y melanoma spitzoide 5 (8,1%). CONCLUSIÓN: El presente estudio constituye la primera serie chilena de neoplasias spitzoides, según la literatura revisada. Destaca el mayor número de lesiones en mujeres y en extremidades, lo que ya había sido informado en otras series similares. Considerando la dificultad en el diagnóstico clínico preoperatorio, destaca un número mayor de sospecha de neoplasias spitzoides comparado a otros estudios.

INTRODUCTION: Spitzoid neoplasms are melanocytic tumors with a variable biological spectrum, which are a diagnostic challenge. There are few studies in Latin American population, not finding chilean series. OBJECTIVE: Clinically and histopathologically characterize patients with spitzoid neoplasms in the Hospital Clínico Universidad de Chile. METHODOLOGY: Retrospective study, based on re-view of clinical records and biopsies of patients with confirmed diagnosis of Spitz nevus (SN), atypical Spitz tumors and spitzoid melanoma (SM), between 1995-2018. It is analyzed: age, sex, clinical and histopathological characteristics. RESULTS: 62 spitzoid neoplasms were studied. 39 women (62.9%). Average age of 18.9 (+14.3) years. Location of injuries: 8 (12.9%) head, 6 (9.7%) trunk, 17 (27.4%) upper extremities and 22 (35.5%) lower extremities; in 9 (14.5%) it is not identified. Average size 5.5 mm. Clinical diagnosis: 21 (33.9%) melanocytic nevus, 16 (25.8%) atypical nevus, 12 (19.4%) NS, 7 (11.3%) vascular lesions, 3 (4.8%) melanoma and 3 (4.8%) other. Histopathological diagnosis: classic NS 38 (61.3%), Reed Nevus 9 (14.5%), desmoplastic SN 2 (3.2%), atypical SN 8 (12.9%) and SM 5 (8.1%). CONCLUSION: The present study appears in the first chilean series of spitzoid neoplasms, according to the literature reviewed. It highlights the greatest number of injuries in women and in the extremities, which had already been reported in other similar series. In the preoperative clinical diagnosis, a greater number of suspicion of spitzoid neoplasms stands out compared to other studies.

A Case of Spitzoid Melanoma

Spitzoid melanoma is a subtype of melanoma that, clinically and histologically, resembles a Spitz nevus. Clinically, spitzoid melanomas usually evolve from amelanotic nodular lesions, growing to 1 cm or more in diameter. They often remain clinically undiagnosed because of their wide variety of clinical appearances and a lack of pigmentation. Distinguishing a Spitz nevus from a spitzoid melanoma can be extremely difficult. Features that favor the diagnosis of a spitzoid melanoma are asymmetrical shape, diameter greater than 1 cm, a lesion with a deep invasive component, and a high degree of cytologic atypia. There have been only rare reports in the literature of the presence of giant cells in malignant melanoma, and the presence of these cells may result in its misdiagnosis as a histiocytic tumor. We present a case of spitzoid melanoma on the right ankle of a 22-year-old-woman.

A Case of Spitzoid Melanoma with Lymph Node Metastasis in a Child

The distinction of a spitz nevus from a melanoma can be difficult and in some cases, impossible. A misdiagnosed spitz nevus can metastasize and lead to fatal outcomes, especially in children. A 5-yr-old girl presented with a 1-yr history of a solitary pinkish nodule on her left hand. On physical examination, she had a palpable left axillary lymph node. We performed biopsy and checked 3 sentinel lymph nodes (SLN) on her axillary area. The biopsy specimen showed multiple variably sized and shaped nests with large spindle or polygonal cells and SLN biopsy showed 3 of 3 lymph nodes that were metastasized. Under the diagnosis of spitzoid melanoma, she was treated with excision biopsy and complete left axillary lymph nodes were dissected. She received interferon-alpha2b subcutaneously at a dose of 8 MIU per day, 3 times weekly for 12 months, and shows no recurrence.