Cauliflower-like exophytic mass on the skin: polypoid melanoma. Clinical, dermoscopic, and histologic features
Ambra Di Altobrando1, Annalisa Patrizi1, Emi Dika1
1Dermatology Division, Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
Abstract:
Polypoid melanoma is a variant of nodular melanoma, whose poor prognosis depends on its thickness and the presence of ulceration at the time of diagnosis. The authors report two cases of polypoid melanoma, presenting as broad, cauliflower-like, polypoid masses. Dermoscopy was characterized by a multicolored pattern, atypical polymorphic vessels, and the fiber sign. Clinical and dermoscopic features can help to diagnose polypoid melanoma and exclude other possible differential diagnoses. However, histology remains mandatory to confirm the diagnostic suspicion.
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