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spitzoid melanoma
Wednesday 4 January 2012
Spitz nevi and Spitzoid melanomas show overlapping histopathologic features, often making the diagnosis challenging.
The p16 protein functions as a tumor suppressor and loss of its expression may be seen in some melanomas.
Some authors found no significant difference in p16 staining in Spitz nevi and Spitzoid melanomas. They conclude that p16 does not appear to be a useful immunohistochemical marker in distinguishing between Spitz nevi and Spitzoid melanomas. (#23005921#)
Cytogenetics
The efficacy of 9p21/Cep9 as a diagnostic FISH assay in melanoma has been validated. 9p21 may be particularly helpful in lesions with spitzoid morphology. (#21989344#)
References
Enhanced detection of spitzoid melanomas using fluorescence in situ hybridization with 9p21 as an adjunctive probe. Gammon B, Beilfuss B, Guitart J, Gerami P. Am J Surg Pathol. 2012 Jan;36(1):81-8. PMID: #21989344#
