[Evaluation of COX-2 protein expression in melanocytic nevi in children].
Melanocytic skin tumors can be divided into benign nevi and malignant which take the form of melanoma. Melanocytic nevi are common in both adults and children. It is widely acknowledged that they are one of the risk factors of the formation of melanoma. However, melanoma among children is rare. In addition, differentiation of benign and malignant melanocytic tumors is often challenging. Recent studies suggest that COX-2 protein maybe useful in excluding malignant transformation of melanocytic lesion. The aim of the study was to evaluate the occurrence and differences of reactions with COX-2 in groups of nevi in children and melanoma adults.


METHODS
The study included 75 common nevi and 43 atypical nevi incised in children and 15 cases of melanoma removed in adults. Paraffin blocks were used to make a preparations with routine hematoxylin and eosin staining (H + E) and immunohistochemistry. The results were statistically analyzed.


RESULTS
Positive reactions were observed in both melanocytic nevi and melanoma. Differences between benign and malignant melanocytic tumors were statistically significant. Differences within melanocytic nevi were not statistically significant.


CONCLUSIONS
The reactions of COX-2 are present in all nevi and do not allow to differentiate between their various types. COX-2 has potential utility in the differentiation of benign and malignant melanocytic tumors.
Uniwersytet Medyczny w Łodzi, Klinika Chirurgii i Onkologii Dzieciecej. mtkubus@gmail.com
Maciej
M
Kubus
Ewa
E
Andrzejewska
Dariusz
D
Nejc
Józef
J
Kobos
Katarzyna
K
Taran
D000328:Adult; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000378:metabolism*; D002648:Child; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2 / Q000378:metabolism*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D008545:Melanoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism*; D009506:Nevus / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism*; D009508:Nevus, Pigmented / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism*; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism*
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; C496540:PTGS2 protein, human