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Updated: Aug 18, 2026
A 3D Organotypic Melanoma Spheroid Skin Model
Published on: May 18, 2018
Papillary thyroid carcinoma mistaken for malignant melanoma: pitfalls in diagnosis
L A Orloff1, E A Weymuller, M J Flaherty
1Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, USA.
Background:
Immunohistochemical methods and aspiration cytology are used with increasing frequency in the diagnosis of head and neck histopathology. Magnetic resonance imaging is also gaining popularity as a diagnostic tool.
Methods:
We report a case of papillary thyroid carcinoma which was initially misdiagnosed as malignant melanoma due to several confounding diagnostic test results.
Results:
False-positive immunostaining of a cytologic preparation with a commercial preparation of HMB45 melanoma stain and characteristic MRI findings contributed to the erroneous diagnosis of malignant melanoma.
Conclusions:
Potential pitfalls in test interpretation are discussed, and recommendations for the judicious use of immunostaining, MRI, and other diagnostic studies are presented.
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