Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Skin Cancer01:30

Skin Cancer

Skin cancer is a type of cancer that occurs when there is an abnormal growth of skin cells, usually triggered by damage to the DNA within the skin cells. It is primarily caused by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or artificial sources like tanning beds. Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer worldwide, and its incidence continues to rise.
Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC): BCC is the most common type of skin cancer, accounting for about 80% of cases. It typically develops in...
Desmosomes01:05

Desmosomes

The term desmosome derives from the Greek words "desmo" and "soma" meaning "adhesion bodies." This structure was first observed during the late 1800s and described as small, dense nodules in the epidermis. Desmosomes are button-like structures that help form an interlinked network of intermediate filaments across the cells. These junctions are  essential to hold cells together under mechanical stress and to maintain tissue integrity. Desmosomes are multi-protein complexes comprising desmosomal...
Papillary Dermis01:11

Papillary Dermis

Dermis
The dermis might be considered the "core" of the integumentary system, as distinct from the epidermis and hypodermis. It contains blood and lymph vessels, nerves, and other structures, such as hair follicles and sweat glands. The dermis is made of two layers of connective tissue that comprise an interconnected mesh of elastin and collagenous fibers, produced by fibroblasts.
Papillary Layer
The papillary layer is made of loose, areolar connective tissue, which means the collagen and...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Clinicopathological Characterization of Digital Papillary Adenocarcinoma With Emphasis on Low-risk Human Papillomavirus In Situ Hybridization and BRAF-VE1 Immunohistochemistry.

The American journal of surgical pathology·2026
Same author

Clinical, Imaging, Pathological, and Molecular Details of an Unusual Uveal Melanocytic Tumor of Childhood.

Ocular oncology and pathology·2026
Same author

TFG-Containing Fusions in Melanocytic Tumors: From Polymorphic Read-Through Transcripts to Oncogenic Kinase Fusions.

Journal of cutaneous pathology·2026
Same author

Clinical Outcomes and Prognostication of CRTC1::TRIM11 Fusion Cutaneous Tumors.

The American journal of surgical pathology·2026
Same author

Nonoperative Management of Locally Advanced Resectable Cutaneous Squamous Cell Cancer of the Head and Neck with PD-1 Blockade.

Clinical cancer research : an official journal of the American Association for Cancer Research·2026
Same author

PARP1 as a biomarker for differentiating melanoma from benign melanocytic lesions.

The Journal of investigative dermatology·2026

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 2, 2026

A 3D Organotypic Melanoma Spheroid Skin Model
08:49

A 3D Organotypic Melanoma Spheroid Skin Model

Published on: May 18, 2018

Desmoplastic melanoma.

Klaus J Busam1

  • 1Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10021, USA. busamk@mskcc.org

Clinics in Laboratory Medicine
|May 10, 2011
PubMed
Summary

Desmoplastic melanoma (DM), a rare spindle cell cancer, presents challenges in early detection and diagnosis due to its subtle clinical and histological features. While prone to local recurrence, it shows a lower risk of lymph node metastasis compared to conventional melanoma.

Area of Science:

  • Dermatology
  • Oncology
  • Pathology

Background:

  • Desmoplastic melanoma (DM) is a rare variant of spindle cell melanoma.
  • It is characterized by abundant fibrous matrix and typically affects sun-damaged skin on the head and neck in older individuals.
  • DM often presents with indistinct clinical features, complicating early detection.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To describe the key characteristics of desmoplastic melanoma.
  • To highlight diagnostic challenges and differential diagnoses.
  • To outline the distinct clinical behavior of DM compared to conventional melanoma.

Main Methods:

  • Review of clinical and histological features of desmoplastic melanoma.
  • Immunophenotypic analysis including S-100 protein and melanocyte differentiation antigens.

More Related Videos

Spatial and Temporal Control of Murine Melanoma Initiation from Mutant Melanocyte Stem Cells
06:09

Spatial and Temporal Control of Murine Melanoma Initiation from Mutant Melanocyte Stem Cells

Published on: June 7, 2019

A Melanoma Patient-Derived Xenograft Model
07:07

A Melanoma Patient-Derived Xenograft Model

Published on: May 20, 2019

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 2, 2026

A 3D Organotypic Melanoma Spheroid Skin Model
08:49

A 3D Organotypic Melanoma Spheroid Skin Model

Published on: May 18, 2018

Spatial and Temporal Control of Murine Melanoma Initiation from Mutant Melanocyte Stem Cells
06:09

Spatial and Temporal Control of Murine Melanoma Initiation from Mutant Melanocyte Stem Cells

Published on: June 7, 2019

A Melanoma Patient-Derived Xenograft Model
07:07

A Melanoma Patient-Derived Xenograft Model

Published on: May 20, 2019

  • Comparison of clinical course, including recurrence and metastasis rates, with conventional melanoma.

    • Main Results:

    • DM exhibits significant intratumoral fibrosis, ranging from pure DM to combined forms.
    • Immunophenotypically, DM is typically S-100 positive but often negative for other melanocyte markers.
    • DM shows a higher rate of local recurrence but a lower incidence of regional lymph node metastasis.

    Conclusions:

    • Desmoplastic melanoma presents unique diagnostic challenges, mimicking benign nevi and nonmelanocytic lesions.
    • Its immunophenotype and clinical behavior differ from conventional melanoma.
    • Understanding these distinctions is crucial for accurate diagnosis and management of DM.