Silver staining nucleolar organiser region (AgNOR) study in melanocytic skin tumours.

Silver staining nucleolar organiser regions (AgNORs) were studied in 35 cases of melanocytic skin tumours. In the 23 cases of benign melanocytic naevi AgNORs per nucleus were between 1.06 and 3.43 with a mean of 2.05. In the 12 cases of malignant melanoma the AgNORs ranged from 4.26 to 10.66 (mean 7.43). Since statistically significant difference in AgNOR counts between benign and malignant melanocytic skin tumours was noted, this technique may serve as a useful adjunct to routine histopathology.