Quick diagnosis of malignant melanoma with the touch-fluorescence method during operation

Abstract

Nine cases of primary melanotic melanoma, three cases of metastatic amelanotic melanoma, and 26 cases of pigmented and unpigmented tumors other than melanoma were examined with the touch-fluorescence method using preparations from the cut surface of the lesions. Fluorescent melanoma cells were easily detected with a fluorescence microscope in all the cases of malignant melanoma whether the melanoma was melanotic or amelanotic. The fluorescent melanoma cells could be divided into three types by configuration: round, spindle-shaped, and pleomorphic. The main cell type of superficial spreading melanoma was round and that of nodular melanoma and acral lentiginous melanoma was chiefly pleomorphic. Fluorescent tumor cells were not seen in pigmented and unpigmented tumors other than melanoma, except in pigmented basal cell epithelioma; this fact made it possible to apply this method routinely for quick diagnosis of malignant melanoma during operation.

Value of AgNOR method in predicting recurrence of meningioma.

“…2 As a recent review has indicated, however, if the AgNOR method is to have a place in routine tumour diagnosis it must do more than simply reflect what is obvious morphologically. 3 Consequently, we attempted to use this method in a situation where morphological features may not be prognostically reliable4-that is, in the prediction of recurrence of meningioma. Study of 111 meningiomas resected over seven years from 99 patients showed that in 10 cases the tumour subsequently recurred within five years.…”

5‐S‐Cysteinyldopa in Urine and Tumors

“…This method highlights the presence of catechol amino acid, especially 5-S-cysteinyldopa (5-S-CD) a precursor of pheomelanin. We have noted that the touch-fluorescence method from the surface or the cut-surface of the lesions may be helpful in quick diagnosis of malignant melanoma before and during surgery, respectively (1). 5-S-CD is released not only in the urine of Caucasian subjects but also in that of Japanese subjects; this metabolite is detected in normal urine at low levels and in melanoma urine at high levels (2)(3)(4).…”