Abstract |
Malignant melanoma is commonly known as the great mimicker and can present in various clinical manifestations and with diverse morphological variants. One of the rare histological variants is the signet-ring cell type. The signet-ring morphology has been reported in numerous other neoplasms including adenocarcinoma, lymphoma, liposarcoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and basal cell carcinoma. We report a rare case of primary signet-ring cell malignant melanoma in a 62-year-old man. He initially presented with an enlarging nevus on his right flank with surrounding erythema. A biopsy showed atypical epithelioid and signet cells with prominent nucleoli and occasional mitoses. Initial diagnosis favored metastatic signet-cell carcinoma of gastrointestinal origin. Review of the biopsy and immunohistochemical analysis revealed the malignant signet-ring cells stained with S100, vimentin, and melanoma cocktail, in keeping with melanoma. The signet-cell morphology can be found in a variety of other malignancies. To prevent potential misdiagnoses, thorough histological examination should be aided by an appropriate immunohistochemical panel to confirm melanoma and exclude erroneous differentials.
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Authors | Linda Kocovski, Salem Alowami |
Journal | The American Journal of dermatopathology
(Am J Dermatopathol)
Vol. 36
Issue 12
Pg. 985-8
(Dec 2014)
ISSN: 1533-0311 [Electronic] United States |
PMID | 25321087
(Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)
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Chemical References |
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Topics |
- Carcinoma, Signet Ring Cell
(pathology, secondary)
- Diagnosis, Differential
- Humans
- Male
- Melanoma
(chemistry, pathology, surgery)
- Middle Aged
- S100 Proteins
(analysis)
- Skin Neoplasms
(chemistry, pathology, surgery)
- Vimentin
(analysis)
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