Background: Autopsy is a medical procedure that consists of the examination of the corpse to determine the cause of death and obtain information on pathological conditions or injuries. In recent years, there has been a reduction in hospital autopsies and an increase in forensic autopsies.
Aim: To evaluate the utility of autopsy in the modern age and the discrepancy between clinical and autopsy diagnoses.
Over the past decade, advancements in molecular biology have contributed to changes in the diagnostic classification of Spitz neoplasms, including Spitz nevi, atypical Spitz tumors, and Spitz melanomas. The recent World Health Organization classification of skin tumors identifies fusion kinases, including NTRK1, NTRK2, and NTRK3, as critical drivers of these lesions. New fusion genes have continued to expand the spectrum of known molecular alterations, particularly within the category of Spitz NTRK-rearranged lesions.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAngiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels from pre-existing ones, is a crucial process in the progression and metastasis of melanoma. Recent research has highlighted the significant role of epigenetic modifications in regulating angiogenesis. This review comprehensively examines the current understanding of how epigenetic mechanisms, including DNA methylation, histone modifications, and non-coding RNAs, influence angiogenic pathways in melanoma.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF