Morphometric discrimination of melanoma in situ of sun-damaged skin from chronically sun-damaged skin.

Full Abstract

BACKGROUND: The histologic discrimination of melanoma in situ of sun-damaged skin (MIS) from chronically sun-damaged skin (SDS) can sometimes be difficult using accepted criteria. OBJECTIVE: We evaluated these entities by means of morphometry and multifactorial analysis. METHODS: We measured the number and area of melanocyte nuclei, melanocyte nucleoli, stratum spinosum keratinocyte nuclei, and papillary dermal lymphocyte nuclei from hematoxylin-eosin-stained slides representing 38 cases of MIS and 18 cases of SDS matched for age, sex, and site with a high-resolution digital imaging and analysis system. RESULTS: Multiple logistic regression analysis correctly classified 100% of the cases using the number of melanocytes per 0.5 mm and the maximum melanocyte nuclear area divided by the maximum keratinocyte nuclear area. The strongest results were achieved measuring approximately 1 mm of epidermis. CONCLUSION: Morphometry and multifactorial analysis can distinguish MIS from SDS. Morphometric analysis of melanocytic proliferations may be useful at the margins of surgical resections.

Author information

Author/s: Acker, S M (SM); Nicholson, J H (JH); Rust, P F (PF); Maize, J C (JC);

Affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston 29425, USA.

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology (J Am Acad Dermatol), published in UNITED STATES. (Language: eng)

Reference: 1998-Aug; vol 39 (issue 2 Pt 1) : pp 239-45

Dates: Created 1998/08/31; Completed 1998/08/31; Revised 2006/11/15;

PMID: 9704836, status: MEDLINE (last retrieved date: 2/18/2009)

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