Melanoma is currently the sixth most common cancer in the United States with incidence rates increasing faster than for any other cancer. ii The lifetime risk of developing invasive melanoma in the United States is currently 1 in 71 compared with an estimate of 1 in 600 in 1960. However, despite these rising figures, melanoma of all types in childhood remains uncommon. Children represent 2% of ...

OBJECTIVE To describe a grading system for risk stratification of atypical Spitz tumors in children and adolescents. In some circumstances, unequivocal distinction between Spitz nevus and melanoma is practically impossible. It is likely that these lesions for which we lack specific diagnostic criteria represent a broad histological continuum extending from benign to malignant tumors. Therefore,...

Malignant melanoma (MM) is a type of malignant tumor, which originates from neural crest melanocytes. MM progresses rapidly and results in a high mortality rate. The present study aims to investigate the expression of microphthalmia transcription factor (MITF), the S100 protein, and HMB-45 in MM and pigmented nevi. A total of 32 MM samples (including three skin metastasis, three lymph node meta...

pseudoinclusions are sometimes evident and mild nuclear pleomorphism is typical. Mitoses are either absent or extremely infrequent. By definition dendritic cells are said not to be seen in this lesion. The growth pattern often presents a plexiform appearance, fascicles of nevus cells following the dermal appendages and neurovascular bundles. Perineural or endoneural extension is a very common f...