Absence of BRAF gene mutations differentiates spitz nevi from malignant melanoma.
BACKGROUND
Distinction of Spitz nevus from malignant melanoma is sometimes difficult on the basis of conventional histology. A high rate of BRAF gene mutations in malignant melanomas (66%) and nevi (82%) has recently been reported.


METHODS
We screened a series of 20 Spitz nevi for BRAF mutations in exons 11 and 15 by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE).


RESULTS
BRAF mutations could not be identified in Spitz nevi.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results show that mutations within the BRAF gene are useful markers for the differential diagnosis between Spitz nevus and malignant melanoma.
Department of Pathology, University Hospital, Zürich, Switzerland. daniela.mihic@pty.usz.ch
Daniela
D
Mihic-Probst
Aurel
A
Perren
Sonja
S
Schmid
Parvin
P
Saremaslani
Paul
P
Komminoth
Philipp U
PU
Heitz
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D009154:Mutation; D018332:Nevus, Epithelioid and Spindle Cell / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D048493:Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf; D019908:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-raf / Q000235:genetics*; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology
C482119:BRAF protein, human; D048493:Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf; D019908:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-raf