Malignant melanoma with clinical and histologic features of Merkel cell carcinoma

Nancy S. House, Fred Fedok, Mary E. Maloney, Klaus Helm

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

33 Scopus citations

Abstract

We describe a patient with malignant melanoma that resembled a Merkel cell carcinoma both clinically and histologically. Immunohistochemical studies showed focally positive staining with S-100 protein and strongly positive staining with HMB-45. Ultrastructural study confirmed the diagnosis by demonstrating premelanosomes and melanosomes. Although the tumor appeared to be clinically unimpressive, it was a deep melanoma with a Breslow level of 3.8 mm that necessitated aggressive treatment. Small cell melanoma must be considered in the differential diagnosis of small cell tumors, which also includes lymphoma, eccrine carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and Merkel cell carcinoma. The diagnosis of amelanotic melanoma, including the small cell variant, may require electron microscopic studies.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)839-842
Number of pages4
JournalJournal of the American Academy of Dermatology
Volume31
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - 1994

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Dermatology

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