Clinicopathologically problematic melanocytic tumors: a case-based review

Zoe Apalla; Christina Nikolaidou; Aimilios Lallas; Elena Sotiriou; Elizabeth Lazaridou; Ioannis Venizelos; Mattheos Bobos; Efstratios Vakirlis; Demetrios Ioannides; Gerardo Ferrara

Clinicopathologically problematic melanocytic tumors: a case-based review

Authors

Zoe Apalla First Dermatology Department, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece
Christina Nikolaidou First Dermatology Department, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki & Anatomic Pathology Unit, Hippokration Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
Aimilios Lallas First Dermatology Department, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece
Elena Sotiriou First Dermatology Department, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece
Elizabeth Lazaridou Second Dermatology Department, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece
Ioannis Venizelos Anatomic Pathology Unit, Hippokration Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
Mattheos Bobos Microdiagnostics Pathology Laboratory, Thessaloniki, Greece
Efstratios Vakirlis First Dermatology Department, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece
Demetrios Ioannides First Dermatology Department, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece
Gerardo Ferrara Anatomic Pathology Unit, Hospital of Macerata, Italy

Keywords:

melanoma, dermoscopy, skin cancer, nevus, spitzoid

Abstract

Background: In spite of recent advances in the histopathological and molecular diagnosis of melanocytic neoplasms, a certain proportion of these lesions remain a daunting challenge for both the clinician and the pathologist.

Objectives: To emphasize the importance of close collaboration between the clinicians and the pathologists in case of problematic melanocytic lesions,

Patients: We report and discuss 5 problematic scenarios of melanocytic lesions, including tumoral melanosis, nevoid melanoma, lentiginous melanoma, spitzoid melanoma and BAPoma that may pose diagnostic difficulties in our practice.

Conclusions: Clinico-dermoscopic-pathological correlation, with incorporation of all the available data, in problematic melanocytic skin neoplasms is of paramount importance for accurate diagnosis.

Clinicopathologically problematic melanocytic tumors: a case-based review