Lymph node melanosis in a patient with metastatic melanoma of unknown primary.
Tumoral or nodular melanosis in the skin is considered a variation of completely regressed melanoma, presenting clinically as a suspicious pigmented papule or nodule. Microscopically, the lesion consists of a nodular accumulation of heavily pigmented melanophages in the dermis, staining positive for immunohistochemical markers of histiocytic lineage (CD68) and negative for those of melanocytic lineage (S100, HMB-45, Melan-A). This process is rarely described in lymph nodes. We present a report of a patient with melanosis involving multiple lymph nodes of an axillary dissection, done for metastatic melanoma with an unknown primary, and discuss possible prognostic and treatment factors.
Malafronte
Patrick
P
Department of Pathology and Laboratory Services, National Naval Medical Center, 8901 Wisconsin Ave, Bethesda, MD 20889-5600, USA. patrickmalafronte@yahoo.com
Sorrells
Timothy
T
D000328:Adult; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000032:analysis; D015214:Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic / Q000032:analysis; D001365:Axilla; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D006801:Humans; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology*; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis / Q000473:pathology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000737:chemistry / Q000556:secondary*; D008548:Melanosis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D009382:Neoplasms, Unknown Primary / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D011379:Prognosis; D021701:Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy; D000097382:CD68 Molecule
D015703:Antigens, CD; D015214:Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; C067980:CD68 antigen, human; D000097382:CD68 Molecule