Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Skin Cancer

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...

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by

Same author

An evolving supraclavicular plaque: diagnostic challenges in dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans with atrophic and myxoid features.

Dermatology online journal·2025

Same author

Large Congenital Melanocytic Nevus With LMNA::NTRK1 Fusion: Expanding Targeted Therapy Options for Congenital Nevi and Melanoma.

Journal of cutaneous pathology·2025

Same author

Dermal cutaneous clear cell sarcoma defined by novel EWSR1-CREM fusion.

JAAD case reports·2024

Same author

Evaluation and Surgical Management of Pediatric Cutaneous Melanoma and Atypical Spitz and Non-Spitz Melanocytic Tumors (Melanocytomas): A Report From Children's Oncology Group.

Journal of clinical oncology : official journal of the American Society of Clinical Oncology·2024

Same author

Amplification of Mutant NRAS in Melanocytic Tumors With Features of Spitz Tumors.

Modern pathology : an official journal of the United States and Canadian Academy of Pathology, Inc·2024

Same author

Atypical Spitz tumor with SQSTM1::NTRK2 fusion: Report of a case with unique spindled cell features.

Journal of cutaneous pathology·2023

Same journal

Letter to the editor in reply to "Ethics of Rising Trends in Dermatology Publications Using Large-Scale Databases".

Clinics in dermatology·2026

Same journal

Ethics of suggesting image-guided superficial radiation therapy on the pathology report.

Clinics in dermatology·2026

Same journal

Tanorexia: The Psychodermatology of Compulsive Tanning.

Clinics in dermatology·2026

Same journal

Ear manifestations of connective tissue diseases: A dermatologic, histopathologic, and clinicopathologic review.

Clinics in dermatology·2026

Same journal

Discovery of an intravenous drug injection site: A meticulous cutaneous examination provides the forensic dermatologic clue to a diagnosis of homicide.

Clinics in dermatology·2026

Same journal

Sherlock Holmes and the mystery of the deadly diet.

Clinics in dermatology·2026

See all related articles

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 13, 2025

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

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

Published on: June 7, 2019

Spitz melanoma.

Philip E LeBoit¹

¹Departments of Pathology and Dermatology, UCSF Dermatopathology and Oral Pathology Service, University of California at San Francisco School of Medicine, San Francisco, California, USA.

Clinics in Dermatology

|September 12, 2024

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Distinguishing Spitz nevus from melanoma is challenging due to similar cell morphology. Genomic insights reveal diverse genetic events in Spitz tumors, aiding in classifying Spitz melanoma and guiding treatment for these often young patients.

More Related Videos

A 3D Organotypic Melanoma Spheroid Skin Model

A 3D Organotypic Melanoma Spheroid Skin Model

Published on: May 18, 2018

A Melanoma Patient-Derived Xenograft Model

A Melanoma Patient-Derived Xenograft Model

Published on: May 20, 2019

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 13, 2025

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

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

Published on: June 7, 2019

A 3D Organotypic Melanoma Spheroid Skin Model

A 3D Organotypic Melanoma Spheroid Skin Model

Published on: May 18, 2018

A Melanoma Patient-Derived Xenograft Model

A Melanoma Patient-Derived Xenograft Model

Published on: May 20, 2019

Area of Science:

Dermatopathology
Oncology
Genetics

Background:

Histopathologic differentiation between Spitz nevus and melanoma is difficult due to overlapping cytologic features.
Spitz tumors exhibit diverse genetic initiating events, leading to benign, intermediate, and malignant lesions.
Some melanomas mimic Spitz tumors morphologically but possess conventional mutations (e.g., BRAF, NRAS).

Purpose of the Study:

To review the World Health Organization (WHO) definition of Spitz tumors.
To analyze the spectrum of tumors arising from various initiating mutations.
To discuss challenges in defining Spitz melanoma and present a case example.

Main Methods:

Review of histopathologic and genomic studies on Spitz tumors and melanomas.
Analysis of the current WHO classification criteria for Spitz tumors.
Case study of a rare Spitz melanoma in the context of related neoplasms.

Main Results:

Genomic studies have clarified distinct initiating events for Spitz tumors, with associated benign to malignant spectrums.
The WHO definition now focuses on neoplasms with MAP kinase pathway-activating mutations, primarily kinase gene fusions.
Recognition of Spitz melanoma aids in classification, follow-up, and treatment guideline development for this tumor type.

Conclusions:

The WHO definition provides structure to the complex classification of Spitz tumors.
Understanding the genetic basis of Spitz tumors is crucial for differentiating benign from malignant variants.
Defining and recognizing Spitz melanoma is essential for appropriate patient management, particularly in younger individuals.