Histopathological diagnosis of small melanocytic lesions suspicious for malignant melanoma

The concern about malignant skin neoplasms leads to the excision of smaller lesions. This study on small melanocytic lesions aims to evaluate the range of possible histopathological diagnoses, describe histopathological aspects, and assess the usefulness of serial histological sections. We performed...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Anais brasileiros de dermatología 2017-06, Vol.92 (3), p.375-378
Main Authors: Quintella, Danielle Carvalho, Campos-do-Carmo, Gabriella, Quintella, Leonardo Pereira, Cuzzi, Tullia
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adult
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Biopsy
Child
Cross-Sectional Studies
DERMATOLOGY
Dermatopathology
Diagnosis
Diagnosis, Differential
Female
Humans
Male
Melanoma
Melanoma - pathology
Melanoma, Cutaneous Malignant
Middle Aged
Nevi and melanomas
Nevus - pathology
Pathology
Skin Neoplasms - pathology
Young Adult
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Summary:The concern about malignant skin neoplasms leads to the excision of smaller lesions. This study on small melanocytic lesions aims to evaluate the range of possible histopathological diagnoses, describe histopathological aspects, and assess the usefulness of serial histological sections. We performed a cross-sectional descriptive histopathological study examining 76 pigmented skin lesions up to 6 mm in diameter. Histopathological diagnoses included atypical melanocytic nevi (n=38), common melanocytic nevi (n=18), atypical lentiginous melanocytic hyperplasia with architectural features of atypical melanocytic nevi (n=7), lentigo simplex (n=2), and malignant melanoma (n=1). Ten cases were non-diagnostic. Cytological atypia was not an exclusive finding of atypical lesions. Examination of serial sections did not change histopathological impression. Early detection of malignant melanoma is important, but clinical and dermoscopy exams may be leading to the resection of a great number of benign lesions. Strict attention to histopathological criteria results in a large number of non-diagnostic cases.
ISSN:0365-0596
1806-4841
1806-4841
0365-0596
DOI:10.1590/abd1806-4841.20175169