Tumoral Melanosis: A Case Series of a Rare Clinical Entity
Abstract Tumoral melanosis (TM) is a rare entity thought to result from the complete regression of melanoma. Clinically, TM resembles malignant melanocytic lesions, presenting as hyperpigmented flat or papulonodular lesions. Histologically, TM lacks melanocytes, instead showing inflammation, fibrosi...
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Adis, Springer Healthcare
2025-02-01
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| Series: | Dermatology and Therapy |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1007/s13555-025-01363-9 |
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| author | Cesare Ariasi Grazia Linda Artelli Cristina Zane Martina Perantoni Simone Soglia Giuseppe La Rosa Vincenzo Maione Marina Venturini Claudia Zambelli Gaetano Licata Mariateresa Rossi Mariachiara Arisi |
| author_facet | Cesare Ariasi Grazia Linda Artelli Cristina Zane Martina Perantoni Simone Soglia Giuseppe La Rosa Vincenzo Maione Marina Venturini Claudia Zambelli Gaetano Licata Mariateresa Rossi Mariachiara Arisi |
| author_sort | Cesare Ariasi |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Tumoral melanosis (TM) is a rare entity thought to result from the complete regression of melanoma. Clinically, TM resembles malignant melanocytic lesions, presenting as hyperpigmented flat or papulonodular lesions. Histologically, TM lacks melanocytes, instead showing inflammation, fibrosis, and melanophages. Diagnosing melanoma without melanocytes is challenging, and TM may also represent other regressed benign or malignant pigmented lesions. This study retrospectively analyzed 12 TM cases focusing on the clinical course, management, and potential for malignancy. Among the cases, 50% were associated with advanced or metastatic melanoma, supporting TM’s potential as a regressed melanoma. Conversely, in 50% of cases, TM occurred without primary or metastatic melanoma, suggesting possible regression of a benign or malignant epithelial lesion such as pigmented basal cell carcinoma (BCC) or seborrheic keratosis (SK) or confinement of melanoma by the immune system. Management included surgical excision and follow-up similar to that of melanoma. Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) was selectively performed based on clinical suspicion and multidisciplinary team discussions. In conclusion, TM should be considered potentially regressed melanoma, especially in patients with high disease burden, and the possibility of derivation from high-grade melanomas must always be considered. Given the inability to distinguish TM from completely regressed melanoma, clinicians must remain vigilant and suspect this origin during staging and follow-up. Comprehensive management and close monitoring are crucial to address TM’s clinical implications. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-bd6a57660977485ebceacdb769d9e146 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2193-8210 2190-9172 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | Adis, Springer Healthcare |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Dermatology and Therapy |
| spelling | doaj-art-bd6a57660977485ebceacdb769d9e1462025-08-20T02:19:07ZengAdis, Springer HealthcareDermatology and Therapy2193-82102190-91722025-02-011551259127310.1007/s13555-025-01363-9Tumoral Melanosis: A Case Series of a Rare Clinical EntityCesare Ariasi0Grazia Linda Artelli1Cristina Zane2Martina Perantoni3Simone Soglia4Giuseppe La Rosa5Vincenzo Maione6Marina Venturini7Claudia Zambelli8Gaetano Licata9Mariateresa Rossi10Mariachiara Arisi11Department of Dermatology, University of BresciaDepartment of Dermatology, University of BresciaDepartment of Dermatology, University of BresciaDepartment of Dermatology, University of BresciaDepartment of Dermatology, University of BresciaDepartment of Dermatology, University of BresciaDepartment of Dermatology, University of BresciaDepartment of Dermatology, University of BresciaDepartment of Pathology, University of BresciaDepartment of Dermatology, Sant’Antonio Abate HospitalDepartment of Dermatology, University of BresciaDepartment of Dermatology, University of BresciaAbstract Tumoral melanosis (TM) is a rare entity thought to result from the complete regression of melanoma. Clinically, TM resembles malignant melanocytic lesions, presenting as hyperpigmented flat or papulonodular lesions. Histologically, TM lacks melanocytes, instead showing inflammation, fibrosis, and melanophages. Diagnosing melanoma without melanocytes is challenging, and TM may also represent other regressed benign or malignant pigmented lesions. This study retrospectively analyzed 12 TM cases focusing on the clinical course, management, and potential for malignancy. Among the cases, 50% were associated with advanced or metastatic melanoma, supporting TM’s potential as a regressed melanoma. Conversely, in 50% of cases, TM occurred without primary or metastatic melanoma, suggesting possible regression of a benign or malignant epithelial lesion such as pigmented basal cell carcinoma (BCC) or seborrheic keratosis (SK) or confinement of melanoma by the immune system. Management included surgical excision and follow-up similar to that of melanoma. Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) was selectively performed based on clinical suspicion and multidisciplinary team discussions. In conclusion, TM should be considered potentially regressed melanoma, especially in patients with high disease burden, and the possibility of derivation from high-grade melanomas must always be considered. Given the inability to distinguish TM from completely regressed melanoma, clinicians must remain vigilant and suspect this origin during staging and follow-up. Comprehensive management and close monitoring are crucial to address TM’s clinical implications.https://doi.org/10.1007/s13555-025-01363-9Tumoral melanosisCompleted regressed melanomaMelanomaRegression |
| spellingShingle | Cesare Ariasi Grazia Linda Artelli Cristina Zane Martina Perantoni Simone Soglia Giuseppe La Rosa Vincenzo Maione Marina Venturini Claudia Zambelli Gaetano Licata Mariateresa Rossi Mariachiara Arisi Tumoral Melanosis: A Case Series of a Rare Clinical Entity Dermatology and Therapy Tumoral melanosis Completed regressed melanoma Melanoma Regression |
| title | Tumoral Melanosis: A Case Series of a Rare Clinical Entity |
| title_full | Tumoral Melanosis: A Case Series of a Rare Clinical Entity |
| title_fullStr | Tumoral Melanosis: A Case Series of a Rare Clinical Entity |
| title_full_unstemmed | Tumoral Melanosis: A Case Series of a Rare Clinical Entity |
| title_short | Tumoral Melanosis: A Case Series of a Rare Clinical Entity |
| title_sort | tumoral melanosis a case series of a rare clinical entity |
| topic | Tumoral melanosis Completed regressed melanoma Melanoma Regression |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1007/s13555-025-01363-9 |
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