Mucosal melanoma of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses is a rare and aggressive cancer that arises from melanocytes, the cells that produce pigment (melanin), lining the nose and sinuses. The nasal cavity is the space behind the nose through which air passes into the lungs. The paranasal sinuses are air-filled spaces in the bones …
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Mucosal melanoma of the oral cavity is a rare and aggressive cancer that arises from melanocytes, the cells that produce pigment (melanin). Melanocytes are normally present in small numbers within the surface lining of the mouth, called the epithelium. When these cells grow uncontrollably and form a malignant tumor, the condition is called mucosal melanoma. …
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PRAME stands for “preferentially expressed antigen in melanoma.” It is a special type of protein called a cancer-testis antigen. This means that PRAME is usually found in cancer cells and normal cells within the testis, but rarely in other normal tissues of the body. Because PRAME is mostly found in cancer cells, pathologists often test …
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Lentigo maligna melanoma is a type of skin cancer that develops in areas of skin with significant sun damage, such as the face, neck, or arms. It begins as a non-invasive form of skin cancer called lentigo maligna, which is confined to the top layer of skin (the epidermis). Over time, lentigo maligna may progress …
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Pathologists use the term atypical melanocytic proliferation when they see a skin lesion made up of melanocytes (the cells that produce pigment) that does not look completely normal under the microscope. These lesions show some unusual or atypical features but do not have all the features needed to confidently label them as benign (non-cancerous) or …
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MITF (microphthalmia-associated transcription factor) is a protein that helps regulate the development, function, and survival of certain types of cells, particularly melanocytes. Melanocytes are specialized cells found in the skin and other tissues where they produce a pigment called melanin. This pigment gives color to the skin, hair, and eyes. MITF plays a crucial role …
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Clark’s level is a system used in pathology reports to describe how far a skin cancer, such as invasive squamous cell carcinoma or invasive melanoma, has spread into the skin. It’s an important factor in determining the severity and potential behaviour of the tumour. The system consists of five levels, each indicating how deeply the tumour has penetrated through …
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HMB-45 (Human Melanoma Black-45) is an antibody used by pathologists to detect a protein called gp100. This protein is normally found in melanocytes—cells that produce melanin, the pigment responsible for skin, hair, and eye color. Melanocytes are mostly located in the skin but can also appear in mucosal areas (like the mouth) and eyes. Because …
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Breslow thickness (also called Breslow depth) is a measurement used by pathologists to describe how far cancer cells in melanoma have grown into the skin. Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that starts in cells called melanocytes, which are normally found in the top layer of the skin (the epidermis). This measurement tells doctors …
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What is melanoma in situ? Melanoma in situ is a non-invasive type of skin cancer made up of specialized cells called melanocytes. If left untreated, melanoma in situ can turn into an invasive type of skin cancer called invasive melanoma. Where does melanoma in situ start? Melanoma in situ starts from specialized cells called melanocytes …
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