NGFR-positive desmoplastic melanomas with focal or absent S-100 staining: Further evidence supporting the use of both NGFR and S-100 as a primary immunohistochemical panel for the diagnosis of desmoplastic melanomas

The American Journal of Dermatopathology
Arash RadfarJag Bhawan

Abstract

The histologic diagnosis of desmoplastic melanoma can be challenging in circumstances in which biopsy specimens are small, or there are unsuspected clinical settings, re-excision scars, and unusual sites. This is particularly true when the overlying junctional component is absent or the spindle cells lack melanin pigment. In these instances, the importance of immunohistochemistry cannot be overemphasized. S-100 protein is the primary immunohistochemical stain used for this purpose, with a sensitivity approaching 90%. HMB-45, although a more specific marker for melanocytes, is less sensitive and often negative in these cases. In addition, NGFR, a marker of Schwannian differentiation, has been shown to be a useful confirmatory stain for desmoplastic melanoma, with staining intensity comparable with, or better than that of S-100 protein. We report 2 cases of desmoplastic melanomas that stained only focally and weakly with S-100 protein, but showed diffuse and intense staining with NGFR. In both cases, S-100 staining could have been interpreted as non-confirmatory, thus misguiding the diagnosis. We suggest that NGFR can be a useful complementary marker to S-100 in those desmoplastic melanomas in which staining for S100 protein is o...Continue Reading

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Citations

Mar 26, 2009·The American Journal of Dermatopathology·Ben Tallon, Jag Bhawan
Dec 22, 2009·Future Oncology·Mai P HoangM Angelica Selim
Dec 31, 2014·Archives of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine·Tammie Ferringer
Oct 19, 2010·Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology·Rossitza LazovaAlicia C Sigal
Jan 9, 2010·Histopathology·Phillip H McKee
Feb 24, 2010·Journal of Cutaneous Pathology·Ossama Abbas, Jag Bhawan
Apr 9, 2019·Journal of Cutaneous Pathology·Veronica Merelo AlcocerKlaus Helm
Jun 16, 2015·The American Journal of Surgical Pathology·Thomas WiesnerKlaus J Busam
Aug 27, 2013·The American Journal of Dermatopathology·Maria Concepción GarridoJosé-Luis Rodriguez-Peralto
Jun 15, 2016·Stem Cells·Alessandra TuccittoMichela Perego
Aug 20, 2010·Histopathology·Ossama Abbas, Meera Mahalingam
May 23, 2007·Archives of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine·David J DiCaudoMark R Wick
Oct 2, 2012·Dermatologic Clinics·Tammie Ferringer

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