Malignant melanoma with preserved hairs: a snap shot could suggest the development from an acquired melanocytic nevus.
63-year-old man presented with a dome-shaped, black nodule on his right forehead, where hairs were preserved. The black surface tone measured 7 mm in diameter and spread irregularly from the periphery of the nodule. He had been conscious of the preceding, black macule for approximately 50 years. A snap shot of the patient in adolescence showed a tiny, black macule, which was a few millimeters in diameter. Histological examination demonstrated irregular proliferation of melanoma cells from the epidermis to the dermis. Partially, there were well-circumscribed, oval nests composed of nevus cells in the acanthotic epidermis and follicles. Nevus cells were also seen in the dermal component, presenting a burnt-out appearance. In this case, the small final size, the preserved hairs and the snap shot suggested a preceding, acquired melanocytic nevus. Malignant melanoma could arise from acquired melanocytic nevus.
Kiyohara
Takahiro
T
Department of Dermatology, University of Fukui, Fukui, Japan.
Kouraba
Sachio
S
Takahashi
Hidenori
H
Kawasaki
Takeo
T
Takeuchi
Akiteru
A
Kumakiri
Masanobu
M
D000293:Adolescent; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / Q000473:pathology*; D005546:Forehead; D006197:Hair / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000473:pathology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009508:Nevus, Pigmented / Q000473:pathology*; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*