title: Pigmented lesions in unusual anatomic sites.
abstract: This review considers pigmented melanin-containing lesions arising in extracutaneous locations. It includes reactive lesions as well as benign and malignant neoplasms. Melanocytic lesions of the mucosae, nervous system, and individual organs are discussed, and rarer pigmented tumors in unusual sites are also covered. A brief description of the histology and clinical behavior along with proposed explanations for their ectopic location are provided. Emphasis is given to the reality that detailed morphological evaluation and application of ancillary techniques can establish the melanocytic nature and biologic potential of such tumors, but cannot, by themselves, determine the primary or metastatic nature of these lesions.
authors.affiliation: Istituto Nazionale per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Adriano
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Piris
authors.forename: Juan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rosai
mesh_terms: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008543:Melanins / Q000032:analysis*; D008544:Melanocytes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology*; D008545:Melanoma / Q000737:chemistry / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000556:secondary; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D008543:Melanins