Imatinib Mesylate Induced Acquired Dermal Melanocytosis / 대한피부과학회지

ABSTRACT

Dermal melanocytosis is most commonly found in the skin of Asians and other darkly pigmented populations. It is histologically characterized by the presence of ectopic melanocytes in the dermis. Mongolian spots, nevus of Ota, nevus of Ito and blue nevus are the most common types, and these are usually present at birth or in early childhood. However, acquired dermal melanocytoses that appear in adult life are rare. A 65 year-old female had taken imatinib mesylate to treat gastrointestinal stomach tumor. Few months later, brownish or slate-bluish pigmented patches appeared on her face, supraclavicular, and scapular area. The skin biopsy specimen, taken from the forehead, revealed scattered, pigmented, spindle-shaped cells, and dendritic cells containing brown pigment in the dermis. Herein, we report a case of acquired dermal melanocytosis induced by imatinib mesylate.