title: A primary amelanotic melanoma of the vagina, diagnosed by immunohistochemical staining with HMB-45, which recurred as a pigmented melanoma.
abstract: Usually, malignant melanoma is readily diagnosed by the presence of melanin granules. Although amelanotic melanoma contains a few melanin granules, it is often difficult to differentiate from non-epithelial malignant tumours. This report describes a case of amelanotic melanoma of the vagina, which was originally suspected to be a non-epithelial malignant tumour, but was subsequently correctly diagnosed by immunohistochemical staining with the HMB-45 antibody and for the S-100 protein. A light grey tumour with superficial ulceration was located in the upper third of the vagina. The patient was treated with irradiation followed by chemotherapy. Subsequently, the tumour disappeared and cytology was negative; thus, she achieved complete remission. However, 20 months after complete remission, the tumour recurred locally: the site had a grossly black appearance, which was pathognomonic for a malignant melanoma. Thus, HMB-45 and S-100 protein immunohistochemistry confirmed the diagnosis of amelanotic melanoma.
authors.affiliation: Department of Aging and Reproductive Medicine, Kochi Medical School, Kohasu, Oko, Nankoku, Kochi, 783-8505, Japan. ogurih1966@yahoo.co.jp
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Oguri
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Izumiya
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Maeda
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Fukaya
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Moriki
mesh_terms: D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000379:methods; D008545:Melanoma / Q000175:diagnosis; D018328:Melanoma, Amelanotic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000532:radiotherapy; D058950:Melanoma-Specific Antigens; D008875:Middle Aged; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000175:diagnosis*; D009418:S100 Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D014625:Vaginal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000532:radiotherapy
chemical_list: D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D058950:Melanoma-Specific Antigens; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D009418:S100 Proteins