Publications by authors named "Michael Hagstrom"

Article Synopsis
  • - Spitz tumors are a diverse group of melanocytic tumors that range from benign (Spitz nevi) to malignant (Spitz melanomas) with a middle category called atypical Spitz tumors.
  • - These tumors are characterized by specific histological features, including large melanocyte arrangements and associated changes in the skin structure.
  • - Recent advances in genetic research have identified unique molecular alterations in Spitz tumors, aiding in their classification and helping dermatopathologists better predict their behavior through histological examination.
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Article Synopsis
  • Drivers of Spitz neoplasms are linked to mutations in HRAS and genomic fusions, while some BRAF-mutated melanocytic neoplasms can resemble Spitz tumors, leading to the classification known as BRAF mutated and morphologically spitzoid (BAMS).
  • A study involving 17 pathologists assessed 54 cases, including 40 BAMS and 14 true Spitz tumors, without access to genomic data, and found a split in diagnostic preferences with about 38% identifying BAMS and 32% identifying ST among BAMS cases.
  • The study highlighted significant difficulty in distinguishing BAMS from true Spitz tumors, with poor agreement among experts on precise diagnosis (kappa = 0.16), although there was
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  • Prior studies have not included genomic details when examining Spitz neoplasms, prompting research to investigate the aggressive nature of MAP3K8 mutations in these tumors.
  • Analysis of 35 MAP3K8 Spitz cases revealed that most are indolent, with only two cases experiencing local recurrence and one showing metastasis during an average follow-up of 33 months.
  • The study also highlighted distinct morphological features of MAP3K8 Spitz, such as large cell size and severe nuclear atypia, contributing to more frequent Spitz melanoma diagnoses, although most cases have positive outcomes unless accompanied by other genomic mutations.
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Activating mutations in MAP2K1 can be seen in benign and intermediate-grade melanocytic neoplasms with spitzoid morphology. We analyzed the clinical, histopathologic, and genetic features for 16 cases of benign and intermediate-grade melanocytic tumors harboring activating MAP2K1 mutations. We compared them to Spitz neoplasms with characteristic Spitz fusions or HRAS mutation.

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The NONO::TFE3 fusion has been described in MiT family translocation renal cell carcinomas as well as extracutaneous perivascular epithelioid cell tumors (PEComas). PEComas are known to express myogenic and melanocytic markers but SOX10 and p63 positivity has never been reported. We report two primary cutaneous tumors that morphologically and molecularly fit PEComas, both harboring the NONO::TFE3 fusion, but with an unusual immunophenotype of SOX10 and p63 positivity.

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Background: Previous studies suggest that Spitz neoplasms occur primarily in younger patients, leading pathologists to shy away from diagnosing a benign Spitz neoplasm in the elderly. With the advent of genomic sequencing, there is a need for reappraisal of the epidemiology of Spitz neoplasms in the modern molecular era.

Objective: We aim to reassess the epidemiology of Spitz neoplasms incorporating next-generation sequencing.

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Background: The conventionally understood pathogenesis of agminated Spitz nevi includes a mosaic HRAS mutation followed by copy number gains in 11p. However, we have recently observed agminated presentations of fusion-driven melanocytic neoplasms.

Methods: We retrieved cases from our database of benign fusion-induced melanocytic neoplasms with an agminated presentation.

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Proliferative nodules (PNs) are benign melanocytic proliferations that typically develop within congenital melanocytic nevi. These tumors have overlapping histological features with melanoma. Ancillary immunohistochemistry and genomic sequencing are often used in diagnostically challenging cases.

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Patients with early-stage disease typically have a good prognosis, but still have a risk of recurrence, even with negative sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB). This study explores the utility of routine imaging to detect metastases in patients with negative SLNB but high-risk 31 gene expression profile (31-GEP) scores. We retrospectively identified melanoma patients with negative SLNBs.

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Spitz neoplasms continue to be a diagnostic challenge for dermatopathologists and are defined by distinctive morphological and genetic features. With the recent advancements in genomic sequencing, the classification, diagnosis, and prognostication of these tumours have greatly improved. Several subtypes of Spitz neoplasms have been identified based on their specific genomic aberrations, which often correlate with distinctive morphologies and biological behaviour.

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Desmoplastic melanomas (DMs) are often challenging to diagnose and ancillary tests, such as immunohistochemistry, have limitations. One challenge is distinguishing DM from benign desmoplastic melanocytic neoplasms. In this study, we explored the utility of next-generation sequencing data in the diagnosis of DMs versus desmoplastic Spitz nevi (DSN) and desmoplastic nevi (DN).

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Purpose: Substance use, including alcohol and drugs, has been found to amplify the risks associated with cycling. Our purpose was to determine the relationship between alcohol or drug use and facial injuries in a nationwide population of patients experiencing cycling trauma.

Methods: The authors report a cross-sectional study of patients reported to the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019, in the United States.

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Acute alcohol exposure alters the trafficking and function of many G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) that are associated with aberrant behavioral responses to alcohol. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying alcohol-induced changes in GPCR function remain unclear. β-Arrestin is a key player involved in the regulation of GPCR internalization and thus controls the magnitude and duration of GPCR signaling.

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