title: Small cell malignant melanoma: an unusual morphologic variant.
abstract: Small cell melanoma is a recognized rare variant of malignant melanoma. We report a case of a brown, ulcerated papule on the left third finger of an 80-year-old woman. Microscopic examination revealed the presence within the epidermis of diffuse sheets of monomorphic small to medium-sized cells. The nuclei were round or oval, and hyperchromatic with inconspicuous nucleoli. Melanin pigment was either absent or minimal. This case report draws attention to the difficulties encountered in the histological diagnosis of this rare variant of malignant melanoma.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cytology and Surgical Pathology, Salah Azaiez Institute, Bab Saadoun, Tunis, Tunisia. imen.abbes@rns.tn
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Abbes
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sassi
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Dhouib
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mrad
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Driss
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Limaiem
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ben Romdhane
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000671:Amputation, Surgical; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000032:analysis; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D005260:Female; D005385:Fingers / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D058965:MART-1 Antigen; D018328:Melanoma, Amelanotic / Q000737:chemistry / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology* / Q000556:secondary / Q000601:surgery; D058950:Melanoma-Specific Antigens; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery
chemical_list: D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D058965:MART-1 Antigen; C548667:MLANA protein, human; D058950:Melanoma-Specific Antigens; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins