An assessment of vulval pigmentation.
Thirty-five vulvectomy specimens were obtained from post-mortem material and studied to assess the distribution of melanin pigment. The information obtained was compared with the melanin distribution in melanoma-in-situ and melanosis vulvae. A lesion had to be larger than 3mm before it was recognised clinically. Melanosis vulvae is but an exaggeration of the normal distribution of melanin pigment. Melanoma-in-situ, however, cannot be reliably distinguished from the benign causes of pigmentation on clinical grounds. The correct diagnosis can only be made histologically. Other causes of vulval pigmentation are also discussed.
D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008545:Melanoma / Q000473:pathology; D008548:Melanosis / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D010858:Pigmentation; D014844:Vulva / Q000166:cytology / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology*; D014845:Vulvar Diseases / Q000473:pathology; D014846:Vulvar Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology