title: Cutaneous mastocytosis combined with eruptive melanocytic nevi and melanoma. Coincidence or a linkage in the pathogenesis?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cellular combinations in the same neoplasm can have intriguing physiopathological implications, which may be useful to better understand the biology of the diseases.
  
  
  METHODS
  Urticaria pigmentosa in association with eruptive melanocytic nevi was observed in a female patient. Maculopapular lesions extended at the base of different melanocytic nevi and the histopathological examination revealed the presence of a mast cell population in the papillary and reticular dermis combined with overlying melanocytic nevi. The re-evaluation of a melanoma removed three years before revealed the presence of the same pathological features. Immunohistochemical assays showed a strong positivity to Giemsa, Toluidine blue and CD-117 in the mast cells, while a S-100 reaction was observed in the melanocytic population.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We discuss possible pathogenetic linkage between cutaneous mastocytosis and melanoma.
authors.affiliation: Dermatopathological Laboratory "San Gallicano Institute of Rome", Via Elio Chianesi, 53, 00158 Rome, Italy;
authors.forename: Pietro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Donati
authors.affiliation: Dermatologic Clinic, La Sapienza University of Rome, Viale del Policlinico 15, 00186 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Paolino
authors.affiliation: Dermatopathological Laboratory "San Gallicano Institute of Rome", Via Elio Chianesi, 53, 00158 Rome, Italy;
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Donati
authors.affiliation: Dermatopathological Laboratory "San Gallicano Institute of Rome", Via Elio Chianesi, 53, 00158 Rome, Italy;
authors.forename: Chiara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Panetta
keywords: dermoscopy; mast cells; melanocytes; nodule; pathogenesis; skin cancer