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Need help understanding biopsy report for my 8 year old son – ATYPICAL INTRADERMAL MELANOCYTIC NEOPLASM

Forums Cutaneous Melanoma Community Need help understanding biopsy report for my 8 year old son – ATYPICAL INTRADERMAL MELANOCYTIC NEOPLASM

  • Post
    Masona
    Participant

      Our son started developing a growth along the left eye socket below his eyebrow.  At first we thought it was a pimple but then it got bigger and looked more like a growth, like a skin tag.  It was pinkish-red in color, not dark like a mole.  His doctor said it looked like a growth where the veins start growing outside the skin rather than inside and not to worry but recommended having it removed.  We took him to the dermatologist and they confirmed that it needed to be removed.

      When we got the biopsy results, the PA asked my wife a bunch of questions but never explained the results to her but assured her that it wasn't cancer.  They said to her that he won't need chemo or anything but that they were going to refer him to a plastic surgeon to have the rest of it removed.  Based on the terminology of the report, I'm now wondering how can they be certain and how are they going to know how much to remove.  They made it sound as if the surgeon would know and that because they will have to go down to the fat layer and with it being on his face, the plastic surgeon would be a better option to minimize scaring.  We haven't spoken to the surgeon yet and we aren't sure if they are the right one to even speak to.  I'm going to try calling the dermatologist back and see what I can figure out.

      I don't want to overreact but this is new to us and we are not sure what we are even reading.  I tried doing some research last night on Spitz tumors but I'm not even sure based on the wording of the report that this was the finding.

      CLINICAL DATA:   SHAVE.
                                       ERYTHEMATOUS, GLISTENING, BLEEDING PAPULE.
                                       RULE OUT: PG VS. OTHER.

      DIAGNOSIS:

      LEFT GLABELLA

      ATYPICAL INTRADERMAL MELANOCYTIC NEOPLASM WITH SPINDLED AND EPITHELIOID CELL        FEATURES, SURFACE PORTION; PLEASE SEE COMMENT.

      GROSS DESCRIPTION:  2 x 3 mm fragment

      MICROSCOPIC DESCRIPTION:
      Sections show an intradermal melanocytic proliferation.  The melanocytic proliferation is composed of epithelioid and spindled cells with abundant eosinophilic to amphophilic cytoplasm and vesicular nuclei.  The nuclei display irregular contours and contain prominent nucleoli.  Rare mitotic figures are observed.  Within the epidermis, there are rare dyskeratotic cells.  The proliferation involves both lateral edges and is broadly transected along the deep microscopic edge.  Multiple level are examined.

      COMMENT:
      The microscopic finding are those of the surface portion of an atypical compound melanocytic neoplasm with spindled and epithelioid cell features.  The morphologic findings favor the surface portion of an atypical Spitz tumor.  However, the lesion involves both lateral edges and is broadly transected along the deep section edge.  In view of these findings, as well as the presence of rare dermal mitotic figures, re-excision is recommended.

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        Janner
        Participant

          Even though it is only listed in the comments, I think you will find more information if you search for atypical Spitz tumor.  Spitz nevi are totally benign – often called juvenile melanoma.  Basically, they look extremely like melanoma under a microscope.  It can be hard to differentiate Spitz nevi from melanoma, but since this is found on a child, that does help the diagnosis.  I can't say I've seen a lot of children here diagnosed with an atypical Spitz tumor, typically it is more often just a mole-like lesion.  They do have a DNA test (FSH) to help determine if something is truly a Spitz or melanoma. 

          As for removal, they do pretty much the same thing with any skin lesion where they take extra margins.  They remove down to the muscle fascia.  This allows them to close the wound easier.  I'm not sure the margins needed for AST and if they take extra or just go with clear. 

          You can have the slides sent somewhere else for a second optnion.  I'd consider UCSF because they have done a lot of research with Sptiz nevi.  But there are others that would work too.

          Sorry I can't be of more help.  For me, I'd be more concerned about having the diagnosis confirmed again – 2nd opinion on the slides just in case.

            Masona
            Participant

              Thank you for the info.  Do you know how I go about sending the slides to USCF and should we go ahead with the removal or wait for the second opinion?  I though I read somewhere that it’s better to get all to get all the testing done before removal as some tests are harder to verify after removal.

              Janner
              Participant

                When you are doing a sentinel node biopsy, it does matter if the wide excision has already been done.  Since I don't know what type of margins they are planning to take, it's a tough question to answer.  Also, this is larger than a typical nevus.  I know that is that sense of urgency to get things done and removed versus knowing what you are really getting into.  In a perfect world, I'd wait for the 2nd opinion.  But I'd discuss with both your doc, surgeon and possibly even UCSF if you also provide them with the report.

                As for sending to UCSF, I'd just contact them first and ask what their process is.  Your doctor could likely help with this too if you wanted to ask.

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