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Updated: Jul 17, 2026
08:49
A 3D Organotypic Melanoma Spheroid Skin Model
Published on: May 18, 2018
Desmoplastic malignant melanoma
H G Skelton1, K J Smith, W B Laskin
1Department of Dermatopathology, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, Washington, DC 20306-6000, USA.
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology
|May 1, 1995
Summary
Desmoplastic malignant melanoma (DMM) shows a better prognosis than other melanomas, with a 5-year disease-free survival rate of 61%. Tumor depth and stromal mucin presence are key factors influencing survival in DMM patients.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Dermatopathology
- Cancer Research
Background:
- Desmoplastic malignant melanoma (DMM) is a rare and diagnostically challenging melanoma variant.
- Limited research exists on DMM, leading to ongoing debate regarding its biological potential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare survival rates of DMM against other malignant melanoma types.
- To identify clinical and histological factors associated with DMM patient survival.
Main Methods:
- Histologic and immunohistochemical evaluation of 128 DMM cases from the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology.
- Correlation of patient follow-up data with histological findings to assess disease-free survival.
Main Results:
- Tumor location, sex, tumor depth, and stromal mucin presence correlated with survival.
- The 5-year disease-free survival rate for all DMM cases was 68%, and 61% for lesions deeper than 4 mm.
- Immunohistochemical analysis revealed HMB-45 negativity in all DMM lesions.
Conclusions:
- DMM demonstrates a significantly better prognosis than other melanomas, with a 5-year disease-free survival rate of 61% compared to 40-41%.
- This improved survival may be linked to the neural differentiation observed in DMM tumors.
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