Recent developments in the pathology of melanocytic neoplasia

This article selectively discusses clinically relevant aspects of the pathology of cutaneous melanocytic neoplasms, from the literature of the past recent years. Topics include the changing role of immunohistochemistry in diagnosis, the controversies over dysplastic nevi, description of other specialized variants of melanocytic nevi, diagnosis of melanocytic neoplasms of acral skin, and melanoma occurring in childhood. Several variants of melanoma including desmoplastic and spindle-cell types, verrucous melanoma, epidermotropic melanoma, and melanoma of the female genitalia are reviewed. The issue of appropriate margins of resection for melanoma and the use of Mohs Micrographic surgery for this tumor are considered. Finally, a review of the sentinel node biopsy technique and of nodal nevi is presented.