title: Correlation between histologic assessment and fluorescence in situ hybridization using MelanoSITE in evaluation of histologically ambiguous melanocytic lesions.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The 4-probe, multicolor, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) panel targeting chromosomes 6 and 11 has shown promising sensitivity and specificity in distinguishing between benign nevi and malignant melanoma. Only a few studies have assessed the potential utility of FISH in classification of histologically ambiguous melanocytic lesions. In the United States, this assay is exclusively licensed to NeoGenomics Laboratories (Irvine, California), which provides the technical component and has developed an innovative service (MelanoSITE) allowing pathologists to interpret FISH results using a dedicated Web portal. Thus far, use of MelanoSITE as a diagnostic adjunct in the diagnosis of melanocytic lesions has not, to our knowledge, been reported in the literature.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To analyze 1.5 years of experience with the MelanoSITE melanoma FISH assay in the evaluation of histologically ambiguous lesions in the context of second opinion and routine dermatopathology practice.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective histologic/FISH correlation study of 140 cases.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-seven percent of abnormal FISH results were false-positive results because of tetraploidy. After correcting for known false-positive results, all lesions considered atypical nevi showed normal FISH signals. Abnormal FISH signals were reported in 30% of lesions considered histologically borderline and in 48% of lesions in which a diagnosis of melanoma was favored.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Four-probe, multicolor FISH results for melanoma correlate with the microscopic assessments of histologically ambiguous lesions. Pathologists using MelanoSITE must be aware of the high rate of false-positive results from tetraploidy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates, Boston, Massachusetts, USA. dr.z@DermatopathologyConsultations.com
authors.forename: Artur
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zembowicz
authors.forename: Sung-Eun
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Antonios
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kafanas
authors.forename: Stephen R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Lyle
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017404:In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence; D008297:Male; D008422:Materials Testing; D008544:Melanocytes / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D008545:Melanoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D058950:Melanoma-Specific Antigens / Q000378:metabolism; D008875:Middle Aged; D009506:Nevus / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D057891:Tetraploidy; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D058950:Melanoma-Specific Antigens; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic