title: Sentinel lymph node biopsy in histologically ambiguous melanocytic tumors with spitzoid features (so-called atypical spitzoid tumors).
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The distinction of Spitz nevi from melanomas with spitzoid morphology can be difficult. For lesions with overlapping histopathologic features, it may be impossible to predict their malignant potential with certainty. The current study evaluated the role of sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy in patients with such atypical spitzoid tumors.
  
  
  METHODS
  The clinical and histopathologic features of 21 patients with atypical spitzoid tumors who underwent SLN biopsy were reviewed and correlated with the presence or absence of metastatic tumor in their corresponding SLNs.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The atypical histopathologic features that were most frequently present included incomplete maturation (11 patients, 52%), two or more dermal mitoses per square millimeter (13 patients, 62%), and deep dermal mitoses (11 patients, 52%). Six patients (29%) showed SLN metastasis. There were histopathologic differences between tumors with positive SLN when compared with tumors with negative SLN: mean tumor thickness (3.38 mm vs. 2.04 mm), incomplete maturation (83% vs. 40%), median dermal mitotic rate (3.5/mm(2) vs. 2/mm(2)), deep dermal mitoses (83% vs. 47%), and expansile dermal nodules (50% vs. 13%). However, of these, only the difference in mean tumor thickness reached statistical significance (P < .05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  SLN biopsy offers a means of assessing the metastatic potential of atypical spitzoid tumors and aids in the management of these patients by selecting patients who may benefit from a regional node field dissection and those in whom the use of adjuvant therapies could be considered.
authors.affiliation: Sydney Melanoma Unit, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, Sydney, NSW, 2050, Australia.
authors.forename: Rajmohan
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Murali
authors.forename: Raghwa N
authors.initials: RN
authors.lastname: Sharma
authors.forename: John F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Thompson
authors.forename: Jonathan R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Stretch
authors.forename: C Soon
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Stanley W
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: McCarthy
authors.forename: Richard A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Scolyer
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D018332:Nevus, Epithelioid and Spindle Cell / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D021701:Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery