Distinction of melanoma in situ from solar lentigo on sun-damaged skin using morphometrics and MITF immunohistochemistry.

Distinction between melanoma in situ (MIS) and solar lentigo (SL) on chronically sun-damaged skin (CSDS) by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) criteria alone can be difficult and in frozen section (FS) material, may be virtually impossible without immunohistochemistry (IHC). In this study, we used microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) IHC-directed image analysis to compare melanocyte nuclear morphometrics of MIS, SL, and sections of sun-damaged skin from redundant tissue acquired during Mohs micrographic surgery. The mean nuclear diameter and melanocytic density figures for MIS were greater than those for SL and CSDS by both independent t-test and analysis of variance statistics.

Merkel cell carcinoma: clinical characteristics, markers, staging and treatment.

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a highly aggressive neoplasm affecting primarily the elderly Caucasian population. Earlier detection of this neoplasm may achieve a better prognosis and an improved outcome. Here, the authors review the typical clinical features of MCC to serve as a reference tool for clinicians in determining when a biopsy may be warranted.