Spatial association of melanocytic naevus and melanoma.
A series of 233 consecutive primary cutaneous melanomas was histologically and clinically studied. Histologically, 53 melanomas (22.7%) were associated with naevus cells. Such a high degree of association suggests that melanocytic naevus may be a precursor of a large number of melanomas. Analysing the cases according to Clark's levels and Breslow's index, a decrease in the naevus-melanoma association was seen with tumour progression, suggesting that advanced tumours may overgrow pre-existing nevus cells, appearing as de novo melanomas. The comparison between histological and clinical data suggest some interpretations of the natural history of melanoma.
Urso
C
C
Institute of Pathological Anatomy and Histology, University of Florence, Policlinico di Careggi, Italy.
Giannotti
V
V
Reali
U M
UM
Giannotti
B
B
Bondi
R
R
D004416:Dysplastic Nevus Syndrome / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007911:Lentigo / Q000473:pathology; D008545:Melanoma / Q000473:pathology*; D009508:Nevus, Pigmented / Q000473:pathology*; D011230:Precancerous Conditions / Q000473:pathology*; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*