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MITF positivity in atypical fibroxanthoma: a diagnostic pitfall
Ben Tallon1, Trevor W Beer, Trevor M Beer
1*Dermatopathology division, Pathlab Bay of Plenty, Tauranga; Da Vinci Clinic, Tauranga, New Zealand; and †Clinipath Pathology, West Perth, Australia.
Abstract:
Microphthalmia transcription factor (MITF) is an established melanocytic marker originally credited with a high degree of specificity. We report a series of 11 atypical fibroxanthoma (AFX) from 2 laboratories showing positive MITF staining. Although there are multiple case reports illustrating MITF staining in a range of tumors, aberrant staining in AFX has not been previously reported. Awareness of the possibility of MITF positivity in AFX is important to avoid a misdiagnosis of melanoma. We also report positive MITF staining in 2 nonneural granular cell tumors and discuss the overlap with the granular subtype of AFX.
