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Pathology of Melanocytic Skin Tumors

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Skin Cancer

Part of the book series: Current Clinical Pathology ((CCPATH))

Abstract

In this chapter a review of melanocytic lesions from simple pigmented lesions with minimal melanocytic proliferation to malignant lesions is presented. The clinical and histological features of the lesions are emphasized. Where appropriate, the most recent findings are reported with regard to better understanding of the development and the diagnosis of these lesions. The emphasis of the chapter is to present as clearly as possible the histological diagnostic features of each lesion along with the most important differential diagnostic considerations. The chapter is divided into the following subdivisions: melanocytic nevi, spindle and epithelioid cell nevi, dermal melanocytosis, dysplastic nevus, atypical melanocytic tumors, and melanoma. Finally, there is a review of prognostication with emphasis on the latest recommendations of the American Joint Committee on Cancer, Melanoma subcommittee.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pathology and Cytopathology, San Pio X Hospital, Milan, Italy

    Claudio Clemente

  2. Department of Pathology and Cytopathology, IRCCS Policlinico San Donato, San Donato Group, San Donato Milanese, Milan, Italy

    Claudio Clemente

  3. Pathology and Dermatology Department, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA

    Martin C. Mihm Jr.

  4. Melanoma Program, Department of Dermatology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA

    Martin C. Mihm Jr.

  5. Melanoma Program, Dana Farber and Brigham and Women’s Cancer Center, Boston, MA, USA

    Martin C. Mihm Jr.

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  1. Claudio Clemente
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Correspondence to Claudio Clemente .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, Second University of Naples Department of Environmental, Biological, Naples, Italy

    Alfonso Baldi

  2. Department of Dermatology, Pius Hospital de Valls, Valls, Tarragona, Spain

    Paola Pasquali

  3. S.A.F.U. Department, Regina Elena Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy

    Enrico P Spugnini

Glossary

Atypical melanocytic tumors

a subset of melanocytic tumors, with unpredictable biologic behavior.

Dermal melanocytosis

benign, flat, congenital birthmark with wavy borders and irregular shape

Dysplastic nevus

a junctional or compound nevus with cellular and architectural dysplasia

Melanocytic nevi

a pigmented lesion of the skin caused by a disorder involving melanocytes

Melanoma

malignant tumor of melanocytes.

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Clemente, C., Mihm, M.C. (2014). Pathology of Melanocytic Skin Tumors. In: Baldi, A., Pasquali, P., Spugnini, E. (eds) Skin Cancer. Current Clinical Pathology. Humana Press, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-7357-2_7

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