[Etiopathogenesis of malignant melanoma of the skin. I. Clinico-biological and nosologic considerations].
Melanoma incidence is rapidly increasing in several countries. This neoplasm has been consistently studied in patients with dysplastic (pleomorphic) nevus, mainly in Anglo-Saxon populations. There is no evidence that among Italians the sequence pleomorphic nervus----cutaneous malignant melanoma shares the identical pathophysiologic mechanisms with the above mentioned form. Pleomorphic nevi are generally thought to be precursors of malignant melanoma of the skin, due to their chromosomal instability. Also common acquired nevi are lesions which can exhibit, although exceptionally, chromosomal abnormalities. Consequently, the sequence pleomorphic nevus----cutaneous malignant melanoma could also include the common nevus. The clinical implications of this stand-point, however, are to be more extensively investigated.
Università degli Studi di Verona Clinica Dermatologica.
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D006801:Humans; D008545:Melanoma / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*; D011230:Precancerous Conditions / Q000473:pathology*; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*
Etiopatogenesi del melanoma maligno cutaneo. I. Considerazioni biologico-cliniche e nosologiche.