Desmoplastic Melanoma Masquerading as Neurofibroma

Abstract

FIGURE 4. Many hyperchromatic spindled and epithelioid cells (H&E, original magnification ×20).FIGURE 5. PHH3 immunostain highlighted a rare mitotic figure within the dermal proliferation (original magnification ×20).

A Diagnostic Challenge: Desmoplastic Melanoma

“…DM can mimic both benign and malignant entities, with reports of DM presenting clinically as a neurofibroma, fibrous inflammatory hyperplasia, and sarcoma, among others. 2 DM is most commonly located on sunexposed skin and is more frequent in males and older individuals, with a mean age of 70 years at diagnosis. 3 On average, DM tends to be more deeply infiltrative than superficial spreading and lentigo maligna melanoma at the time of diagnosis-a feature which may be related to diagnostic delay and/or differences in tumor biology.…”