Nevoid melanoma of the vagina: report of one case diagnosed on thin layer cytological preparations

Abstract

BackgroundPrimary melanoma of the vagina is an extremely rare neoplasm with approximately 250 reported cases in the world literature [1-4]. In its amelanotic variant this lesion may raise several differential diagnostic problems in cytological specimens [5]. In this setting, the usage of thin layer cytopathological techniques (Liquid Based Preparations = LBP) may enhance the diagnostic sensitivity by permitting immunocytochemical study without having to repeat the sampling procedure.The aim of this paper is to describe the cytomorphological presentation of primary vaginal melanoma on LBP since it has not previously been reported up to now, to our knowledge.Case presentationa 79-y-o female complaining of vulvar itching and yellowish vaginal discharge underwent a complete gynaecological evaluation during which a LBP cytological sample was taken from a suspicious whitish mass protruding into the vaginal lumen. A cytopathological diagnosis of amelanotic melanoma was rendered. The mass was radically excised and the patient was treated with α-Interferon.Conclusionamelanotic melanoma may be successfully diagnosed on LBP cytological preparations. Thin layer preparations may enhance the diagnostic cytomorphological clues to its diagnosis and may permit an adequate immunocytochemical characterization of the neoplasm.

Primary malignant melanoma of the vagina: A case report and review of literature

“…[23] It accounts for less than 1% of all malignant melanoma and less than 3% of all primary malignant tumors of the vagina. [4] This aggressive tumor has a poor prognosis with 5 year survival rate 5-25%.…”

“…Malignant melanoma of vagina is a rare tumor with an incidence of only 0.46 cases per one million women per year[ 1 ] and less than 250 cases are reported in literature to date. [ 2 3 ] It accounts for less than 1% of all malignant melanoma and less than 3% of all primary malignant tumors of the vagina. [ 4 ] This aggressive tumor has a poor prognosis with 5 year survival rate 5-25%.…”

Amelanotic primary vaginal melanoma: A case report with cyto‐histological correlations

“…A relatively high rate of primary amelanotic melanomas has been described at this site, ranging from 23% 9 to 35% 10 making essential the inclusion of this entity in the differential diagnosis of non- (Table 1). [11][12][13][14] In this case, the PAP smear showed markedly atypical cells with scant cytoplasm, prominent nucleoli, and hyperchromatic nuclei arranged in a discohesive fashion.…”

“…Unfortunately, to date only a handful of papers are available in the literature concerning the histological and/or cytomorphological features of primary vaginal amelanotic melanoma (Table ) …”

Melanoma amelanótico primario de vagina: reporte de un caso y revisión de la literatura

“…Desde el punto de vista histopatológico, el ha llazgo de células malignas altamente atípicas en una muestra de origen del tracto genital femenino siempre debe hacer pensar en melanoma, siendo el principal diagnóstico diferencial el sarcoma (9). Las proteínas HMB45 y S100 son de gran utilidad en su identificación, el melanoma es negativo para citoqueratina, antígeno epitelial de membrana, desmina, mioglobina, actina, CD34 y CD68.…”