Combined malignant melanoma and basal cell carcinoma tumor of the intermingled type

• Published in: Journal of cutaneous pathology 2007-09, Vol.34 (9), p.731-735
• Main Author: Braun‐Falco, Markus
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aged, 80 and over; Biological and medical sciences; Carcinoma, Basal Cell - pathology; Carcinoma, Basal Cell - surgery; Dermatology; Humans; Male; Medical sciences; Melanoma - pathology; Melanoma - surgery; Neoplasms, Multiple Primary - pathology; Neoplasms, Multiple Primary - surgery; Skin Neoplasms - pathology; Skin Neoplasms - surgery; Treatment Outcome; Tumors of the skin and soft tissue. Premalignant lesions
• ISSN: 0303-6987; 1600-0560
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0560.2006.00703.x

Background:  The combination of malignant melanoma (MM) and basal cell carcinoma (BCC) within a single tumor is an unusual finding. Case report:  An 84‐year‐old white man with a pigmented tumor on the back showing a combination of MM and BCC. Results:  A 1.5 × 1.5‐cm irregular brown lesion on the back was clinically suggestive of MM. Histopathologically, the lesions turned out to be a combined tumor consisting of a superficial BCC and a regressive MM with a tumor thickness of 1.25 mm. The conglomerates of the BCC lay within the MM and were admixed with a high number of Melan‐A‐positive melanocytic cells. Conclusion:  By reviewing the low number of published cases, we found that a combined MM‐BCC tumor exists in two variants: a collision type in which components of each cell type are clearly demarcated and an intermingled type in which both cell types grow intimately together. Although both types occur as a mere incidence, in particular, the intermingled type may be diagnostically challenging and the evaluation of its dignity may be questionable.