Prognostic immunohistochemical markers of primary human melanomas.

Background: Several clinical and histological factors of primary melanomas comprise a relatively large quantity of prognostic information.

Objective: To find immunohistochemical markers that can improve the prognostic accuracy achieved by factors that are available without extra laboratory work, i.e.

Can immunohistochemical markers and mitotic rate improve prognostic precision in patients with primary melanoma?

Background: In addition to tumor thickness, several other prognostic parameters have been identified in primary human melanomas. Some are available readily (localization, gender, age, and ulceration). Others must be evaluated with a moderate or even substantial amount of work (mitoses and immunohistochemical markers).

Amelanotic malignant melanoma presenting as malignant schwannoma.

A 78-year-old woman presented with a 14-month history of a nodule on the sole of her left foot. It had been increasing in size, and had become ulcerated. Histological, immunochemical and ultrastructural studies of the primary tumour revealed melanocytic and Schwannian characteristics, and posed diagnostic difficulties.

Tumour progression and metastatic behaviour in vivo correlates with integrin expression on melanocytic tumours.

In order to evaluate the significance of adhesion molecules expressed on melanocytic tumours for progression and prognosis in vivo, we studied integrin expression (VLA-1 to VLA-6, CD18, CD51, CD61) on 10 naevi, 40 primary malignant melanomas, and 11 metastases by immunohistology using the APAAP technique. Evaluation was done by grouping the percentage of positive tumour cells in six categories. Statistical analysis (Wilcoxon rank test, Scheffe test) revealed significant differences in the expression of VLA-1 (P < 0.

Primary leiomyosarcoma of the skin. A histological and immunohistochemical analysis.

We report a rare case of a cutaneous leiomyosarcoma on the extensor surface of the proximal part of the left arm of an 84-year-old man. The tumour exhibited a number of histological and immunohistochemical features which are characteristic of a leiomyosarcoma. Leiomyosarcomas are frequently misdiagnosed on clinical grounds.