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Understanding a histopathology report
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Understanding a histopathology report

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Understanding a histopathology report

  • Post
    • January 27, 2017 at 1:06 pm
    WallyE
    Participant

      I have just received the following. Can anyone tell me how serious this is please? I live in fear.

      Macroscopy

      Well circumscribed lobulated creamy white extensively necrotic mass measuring 70x57x40mm (64 grams)

      Microscopy

      Representative sections show a very pleomorphic high-grade malignant epithelioid/spindle cell tumour with evidence of extensive tumour necrosis. On the periphery of the tumour, there is tissue resembling compressed atrophic pancreas.

      In some areas the tumour is bordered by non-neoplastic soft tissue and in other areas the tumour extends to the histlogical perimeter.

      Immunohistochemistry

      1. S-100 – strongly possitive

      2. Mel A – very strongdiffuse membrane and cytoplasmic possitivity

      3. HMB45 – strong diffuse positivity

      4. MITF-1 – strongly possitive

      5. Ki-67 – 50%

      Comment

      The above immunohistochemical profile would support the morphologic and clinical features suggesting those of Metastatic Malignant Melanoma

      In view of the above findings, the BRAF mutation analysis will be performed as this has prognostic and therepeutic implications (BRAF request no 4007/G)

      ICD10 coding C77.9

      Diagnosis

      Metastatic Malignant Melanoma.

       

    Viewing 2 reply threads
    • Replies
        • January 28, 2017 at 12:41 am
        debwray
        Participant

          Hi Wallye,

          The macroscopy bit of the report is what you can see with the naked eye. Necrotic means dead or dying tissue. Often due to a problem with blood supply.

          Microscopy. Details revealed under the microscope. Spindle cells are seen in melanoma.

          The rest if the report deals with special stains done on samples to confirm melanoma.

          Comment. Says all points to melanoma and that Braf testing of the tumour has been ordered as this will have impact on treatment options.

          Sorry to be confirming unwelcome news for you.

          Hope you are starting to feel better after your long hospital

          stay. Deb

            • January 28, 2017 at 1:49 am
            Mark_DC
            Participant

              WallyE, wish you good luck, know you have been through a lot. Hope you can try BRAF options or immunotherapy. Deb, thanks for the explanations, will help all of us with our reports.

              • January 28, 2017 at 1:49 am
              Mark_DC
              Participant

                WallyE, wish you good luck, know you have been through a lot. Hope you can try BRAF options or immunotherapy. Deb, thanks for the explanations, will help all of us with our reports.

                • January 28, 2017 at 1:49 am
                Mark_DC
                Participant

                  WallyE, wish you good luck, know you have been through a lot. Hope you can try BRAF options or immunotherapy. Deb, thanks for the explanations, will help all of us with our reports.

                • January 28, 2017 at 12:41 am
                debwray
                Participant

                  Hi Wallye,

                  The macroscopy bit of the report is what you can see with the naked eye. Necrotic means dead or dying tissue. Often due to a problem with blood supply.

                  Microscopy. Details revealed under the microscope. Spindle cells are seen in melanoma.

                  The rest if the report deals with special stains done on samples to confirm melanoma.

                  Comment. Says all points to melanoma and that Braf testing of the tumour has been ordered as this will have impact on treatment options.

                  Sorry to be confirming unwelcome news for you.

                  Hope you are starting to feel better after your long hospital

                  stay. Deb

                  • January 28, 2017 at 12:41 am
                  debwray
                  Participant

                    Hi Wallye,

                    The macroscopy bit of the report is what you can see with the naked eye. Necrotic means dead or dying tissue. Often due to a problem with blood supply.

                    Microscopy. Details revealed under the microscope. Spindle cells are seen in melanoma.

                    The rest if the report deals with special stains done on samples to confirm melanoma.

                    Comment. Says all points to melanoma and that Braf testing of the tumour has been ordered as this will have impact on treatment options.

                    Sorry to be confirming unwelcome news for you.

                    Hope you are starting to feel better after your long hospital

                    stay. Deb

                Viewing 2 reply threads
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