OBJECTIVE To evaluate the diagnostic sensitivity of fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) using probes targeting 6p25, 6q23, 11q13, and Cep6 in melanoma subtypes. DESIGN Blinded comparison of chromosomal copy number changes detected using FISH targeting 6p25, 6q23, 11q13, and Cep6 in benign nevi and melanoma subtypes. SETTING Dermatopathology Laboratory, Department of Dermatology, North...

INTRODUCTION Melanoma is a rare malignant tumour in the eye. OBJECTIVE To report two cases of malignant melanoma in the eye, one in the conjunctiva and the other in the choroid. CASES The first case was in a 49-year-old lady who presented with a swelling on the inner side of left upper eyelid. The vision was 6/6. On everting the eyelid, multiple, pigmented, nodular swellings were noted on t...

PURPOSE To report a unique case of primary corneal melanoma. METHODS A 59-year-old white woman underwent keratectomy to remove a pigmented rapidly enlarging growth on the corner of her left eye. The specimen was submitted for histopathologic examination. RESULTS Ophthalmic examination disclosed no association with limbal or conjunctival melanocytic abnormalities. Histopathologic studies dem...

In primary human melanoma, the membrane-type matrix metalloproteinase, MT3-MMP, is overexpressed in the most aggressive nodular-type tumors. Unlike MT1-MMP and MT2-MMP, which promote cell invasion through basement membranes and collagen type I-rich tissues, the function of MT3-MMP in tumor progression remains unclear. Here, we demonstrate that MT3-MMP inhibits MT1-MMP-driven melanoma cell invas...

Polypoid melanoma (PM) was first described by Manci in 1981 [1]. Histologically, it is differentiated from classic nodular melanoma by exhibiting an exophytic growth pattern that rarely extends into the reticular dermis [2,3]. This clinicopathologic variant is not common, and may have a delayed diagnosis. We present a case of PM to highlight the important features of this potentially aggressive...

A study of 361 female melanoma patients and age matched controls was conducted in the four western provinces of Canada. Analysis of reproductive factors showed a significant negative association between number of livebirths and risk of melanoma. The relationship persisted for superficial spreading melanomas after adjustment for host pigmentation factors, freckling, and educational status. An in...

BACKGROUND This study analyzed 100 consecutive patients with primary cutaneous melanoma over the course of 13 years to determine whether epidemiological differences correspond to different stages of the disease. We also investigated whether epidemiological characteristics affected the survival rate. Our results were compared with those of selected descriptive studies of melanoma in other East A...