Accurate classification of melanocytic proliferations has important implications for prognostic prediction, treatment and follow-up. Although most melanocytic proliferations can be accurately classified using clinical and pathological criteria, classification (specifically distinction between nevus and melanoma) can be challenging in a subset of cases, including those with spitzoid morphology. Genetic studies have shown that mutation profiles differ between primary melanoma subtypes and Spitz nevi. These differences may aid in distinguishing benign from malignant in some melanocytic tumours. Here, we present a selection of melanocytic proliferations with equivocal histopathological criteria, wherein genetic analysis was requested to help guide classification. In two of four cases, the genetic results offered valuable insights, allowing a definitive diagnosis, indicating the diagnostic value of mutation profiling in a real-world routine clinical setting. Although histopathological assessment remains decisive in melanocytic proliferation classification, we recommend including genetic profiling in cases of borderline or atypical lesion to support accurate classification.Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
About The Expert
Anne Zaremba
Georg Lodde
Rajmohan Murali
Manuel Philip
Ioana Cosgarea
Philipp Jansen
Eleftheria Chorti
Christian Rose
Bernhard Hemmerlein
Johanna Matull
Carl M Thielmann
Julia Kretz
Inga Möller
Antje Sucker
Annette Paschen
Elisabeth Livingstone
Lisa Zimmer
Susanne Horn
Dirk Schadendorf
Eva Hadaschik
Klaus Griewank
References
PubMed