Epidermotropically metastatic malignant melanoma. Differentiating malignant melanoma metastatic to the epidermis from malignant melanoma primary in the epidermis

Abstract

In four instances, metastases to epidermis from primary cutaneous malignant melanomas at different sites showed histological features similar to those of cutaneous malignant melanoma primary in the epidermis. In these metastases, atypical melanocytes were present within the epidermis and in the upper part of the dermis much as in primary cutaneous malignant melanoma. Therefore, the presence of atypical melanocytes within the epidermis is not in itself an absolute criterion of malignant melanoma primary in skin. Nor does that finding absolutely deny malignant melanoma metastastic to the skin. Features that may enable histologic differentiation of epidermotropically metastatic malignant melanoma from primary cutaneous malignant melanoma are emphasized.

Clonal relationships between epidermotropic metastatic melanomas and their primary lesions: a loss of heterozygosity and X-chromosome inactivation-based analysis

“…Kornberg's original histopathologic criteria for epidermotropic metastatic melanoma have been challenged since his original report in 1978. 4 Descriptions of epidermotropic metastatic melanomas that are present, more similar to a primary melanoma, with epidermal components of atypical melanocytes that are broader than those …”

Enhanced Survival in Patients With Multiple Primary Melanoma

“…Cutaneous metastatic lesions were excluded with the combined use of clinical and histological criteria. 22 Patients were followed up regularly, initially by the SMU and then by their local physician, from whom patient information was obtained. For patients who were unable to be contacted, the New South Wales Cancer Registry was surveyed for deaths due to melanoma.…”

“…In patients with 3 or more primary melanomas, 31 survived when 25 (95% CI, [22][23][24][25][26][27] were expected to survive. Patients who survive longer may have the opportunity to develop multiple primary melanomas.…”

Epidermotropic Metastasis Coexisting with Multiple Primary Cutaneous Malignant Melanomas

“…Epidermotropic métastasés of malignant melanomas (EMMM) are very rare, and there are controversies about their dermatopathological aspect [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8]. The main differ ence between EMMM and primary cutaneous melanoma is based on the fact that the latter presents atypical melano cytes in the epidermis as well as malignant infiltrate in the dermoepidermal junction [9,10].…”

“…The following histopathological findings have been defined as necessary for the diagnosis of EMMM [ 1 ]: thin ning of the epidermis by aggregates of atypical melanocytes within the dermis; atypical melanocytes within intradermal endothelial-lined spaces, and atypical melanocytes within the dermis equal to or broader than those within the epider mis.…”