The aim of this study was to determine the clinical, histological and/or immunohistochemical features that enable differential diagnosis of regression of melanocytic naevi from regression of
melanomas. All melanocytic
neoplasms with histologically-confirmed regression diagnosed in our hospital between 2002 and 2009 were reviewed retrospectively. Lamellar and delicate
fibrosis were associated with melanocytic naevi (p <0.0001 and p = 0.021, respectively). Compact
fibrosis, high vessel density and higher number of
granzyme B+ lymphocytes were associated with
malignant melanoma (p = 0.011, p = 0.005 and p = 0.013, respectively). Density of inflammatory infiltrate (p = 0.016), vascular proliferation (p = 0.005), epidermal
atrophy (p = 0.009), rate of apoptosis (p = 0.046) and
granzyme B immunoreactivity (p = 0.013) was more common in severe-dysplastic naevi and
melanomas than in the remaining melanocytic naevi. Logistic regression demonstrates that 5 variables (age, lamellar
fibrosis, melanophages, vessel density, and
granzyme B immunostaining) would serve to classify appropriately 87% of
melanomas among melanocytic lesions with complete regression.