Spontaneous regression of cutaneous head and neck melanoma: implications for the immunologic control of neoplasia.
BACKGROUND
Spontaneous regression of cancer in the head and neck is a rare event. Moreover, there are rare reported cases of spontaneous regression of primary head and neck melanoma with accompanying immunohistochemical analysis of the tumor.


METHODS
We used detailed preoperative and postoperative pathologic examination of a lesion in the right supraclavicular region.


RESULTS
Pathologic examination of the initial specimen identified a melanoma of superficial spreading type with vertical growth and a thickness of 1.8 mm. The excised specimen demonstrated a complete regression of the melanoma with a florid host inflammatory response predominantly composed of a histiocytic reaction.


CONCLUSIONS
The case presented illustrates histopathologic findings occurring in a head and neck melanoma as it is undergoing spontaneous regression. These findings point to a potentially critical role for histiocytes in effecting tumor elimination. Pathologic analysis of spontaneous head and neck melanoma regression will ultimately facilitate an improved understanding of naturally-occurring tumor elimination.
Department of Neurosurgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
Gavin P
GP
Dunn
James S
JS
Lewis
John B
JB
Sunwoo
Ravindra
R
Uppaluri
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008545:Melanoma / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D009365:Neoplasm Regression, Spontaneous; D009418:S100 Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology
D009418:S100 Proteins