Morphometric Discrimination of Melanoma In Situ of Sun-Damaged Skin From Chronically Sun-Damaged Skin.

Melanocytes in nonlesional sun-exposed skin: A multicenter comparative study

“…This difference may have contributed to the higher counts observed in the prior study by Hendi et al 4 than those observed on H&E staining in our series, and other prior studies using H&E counts for melanocytes. 11,15 The specificity of Melan-A staining for melanocytes versus keratinocytes has been questioned by some authors. 8 Melan-A cross-reactivity with junctional lymphocyte pseudonests in lichenoid dermatitis has also been described, and caution is thus advised when using the stain in the workup of lentiginous melanocytic proliferations.…”

Quantification of melanocytes in sun-damaged skin

“…20 Melanocyte number and morphology have been found to be only somewhat useful and more predisposed to overlap between benign and malignant. 1,2,11,18,20,21 While nesting and pagetoid spread are less commonly found in benign sun-damaged skin, they may occur. 1,2 The findings in our specimens that overlapped with melanoma in situ were focal and isolated and in no instance would the J AM ACAD DERMATOL VOLUME 64, NUMBER 3 pathologist have struggled with the diagnosis.…”

Contiguous lesions in lentigo maligna

“…[17][18][19] Interference in keratinocyte and melanocyte contact and communication via the adhesion molecule Mel-CAM has been found to contribute to melanoma development. 20 Mutations in the keratinocyte p53 molecule, because of the effects of chronic UV exposure, causes a cascade of events leading to an epidermis that is fertile ground for mutated junctional melanocytes that could evolve into malignant melanoma in situ.…”