Sentinel lymph node biopsy in patients with "atypical Spitz tumors." A report on 12 cases.

摘要: The distinction between Spitz nevus and melanoma is currently possible, applying a set of definite histological criteria. However, in certain lesions deviating from the stereotypical morphology classic nevi ("atypical tumors"), differentiation benign malignant cases appears problematic because objective criteria for reliable diagnosis are lacking. We report clinicopathologic findings 12 patients with atypical tumors, who underwent sentinel node biopsy. All composed spindle and/or epithelioid cells, histologically showed features referable to mixed generally found melanomas. Nine were females three males, ranging age 2 48 years (mean, 23.2 years). size ranged 5 9 mm, thickness 1.12 5.70 mm. Nodal micrometastases 4 (33.3%) patients. Among positive node, two minimal nodal involvements; one patient additional tumor deposits nonsentinel regional node. alive free disease follow-up 90 months 26.3 months). Metastasizing nonmetastasizing appeared clinically indistinguishable. statistical analysis no significant difference groups. Results suggested that all reported may constitute relatively homogeneous morphological group relevant metastatic potential be underdiagnosed.