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Nodal nevi and cutaneous melanomas
1Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California Los Angeles School of Medicine 90095-1732, USA.
The American Journal of Surgical Pathology
|July 1, 1996
Summary
Nodal nevi, or moles in lymph nodes, are more common in melanoma patients than previously thought. This finding may impact melanoma diagnosis and understanding of nevocyte behavior.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pathology
- Dermatology
Background:
- Nevocytes in lymph nodes can be misdiagnosed as melanoma metastases.
- The presence and origin of nodal nevi are not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the frequency and characteristics of nodal nevi in melanoma patients.
- To investigate potential associations between nodal nevi and melanoma.
Main Methods:
- Examined 4,821 lymph nodes from 208 melanoma patients using light microscopy and immunohistochemistry.
- Compared nodal nevus frequency in melanoma patients to those with breast and pelvic cancer.
Main Results:
- Nodal nevi were identified in 22% of lymphadenectomy specimens (1.2% of all nodes), significantly higher than previously reported.
- Nevi were more frequent in axillary and cervical nodes, and particularly in sentinel lymph nodes.
- Nodal nevi were rarely found in patients with non-melanoma cancers.
Conclusions:
- Nodal nevi are significantly more prevalent in melanoma patients, suggesting a potential link to melanoma or melanocytes.
- The findings may necessitate revised diagnostic criteria to avoid misinterpreting nodal nevi as metastases.