Desmoplastic Melanoma: Report of 5 Cases

Background. The clinical presentation of desmoplastic melanoma is often challenging. We report the experience of the Melanoma Unit of Spedali Civili University Hospital of Brescia, Italy. Method. Study subjects were drawn from 1770 patients with histologica confirmed melanoma. Within this group, des...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: A. M. Manganoni, C. Farisoglio, S. Bassissi, D. Braga, F. Facchetti, M. Ungari, P. G. Calzavara-Pinton
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2009-01-01
Series:Dermatology Research and Practice
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2009/679010
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Summary:Background. The clinical presentation of desmoplastic melanoma is often challenging. We report the experience of the Melanoma Unit of Spedali Civili University Hospital of Brescia, Italy. Method. Study subjects were drawn from 1770 patients with histologica confirmed melanoma. Within this group, desmoplastic melanoma developed in 5 patients. For each diagnosed melanoma, histological characteristics, treatment, and outcomes were evaluated. Results. Of the 5 patients described in this study, 2 were males and 3 females. The average age was 62.4 years ranging from 56 to 68 years. Breslow thickness ranged from 2.1 to 12 mm with a mean thickness of 5.8 mm. Primary treatment of 5 patients included a wide local excision of their primary lesions. Conclusions. Desmoplastic melanoma is a rare neoplasm which clinically may mimic other tumours or cutaneous infiltrate of uncertain significance. The diagnosis is hiastopathological and radical resection is necessary.
ISSN:1687-6105
1687-6113