Metastatic spindle cell melanoma on cytology – a diagnostic challenge

Abstract

Spindle cell melanoma is a rare variant of malignant melanoma. The diagnosis on fine needle aspiration cytology can be challenging. An accurate cytological diagnosis is important owing to the prognostic and therapeutic implications. It also directs staging, treatment and prognosis. Spindle cell melanoma may mimic other spindle cell lesions because Due to the lack of characteristic features of conventional melanoma, spindle cell melanoma can be often mistake for various other spindle cell lesions. Fine needle aspiration cytology is often used to document recurrent or metastatic disease and thus plays a very important role. We present a case of a 61year old male with spindle cell melanoma.

Ganglionic melanoma without cutaneous localization: primitive, or metastasis?

“…The extension assessment is systematic in the melanoma but when normal with a nodal ganglionnaire a systematic pet scanner can be discussed because it this paraclinical "modern" gives a good sensitivity and specificity [8]. The pet scanner of our patient revealed a pre-tibial hypersensitivity whose histology was not specific, but it does not eliminate the regression of melanoma, especially since the lesion sits on the same limb of the lymadenopathy.…”