Abstract
Diagnosis of a melanocytic lesion that is clinically barely visible or nonpigmented is particularly difficult. A list of simulators of amelanotic melanoma [1] has been published. It is also a rare condition, with an estimated occurrence between 2 and 8% of the melanomas [2]. These issues lead to a delay in the diagnosis and a subsequently worse prognosis.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Koch SE, Lange JR (2000) Amelanotic melanoma: the great masquerader. J Am Acad Dermatol 42(5 Pt 1):731–734
Ariel M (1981) Amelanotic malignant melanoma. In: Ariel M (ed) Malignant melanoma. Appleton Century-Crofts, New York, pp 259–263
Menzies SW, Kreusch J, Byth K, Pizzichetta MA, Marghoob A, Braun R, Malvehy J, Puig S, Argenziano G, Zalaudek I, Rabinovitz HS, Oliviero M, Cabo H, Ahlgrimm-Siess V, Avramidis M, Guitera P, Soyer HP, Ghigliotti G, Tanaka M, Perusquia AM, Pagnanelli G, Bono R, Thomas L, Pellacani G, Langford D, Piccolo D, Terstappen K, Stanganelli I, Llambrich A, Johr R (2008) Dermoscopic evaluation of amelanotic and hypomelanotic melanoma. Arch Dermatol 144(9):1120–1127
Guitera P, Pellacani G, Longo C, Seidenari S, Avramidis M, Menzies SW (2009) In vivo reflectance confocal microscopy enhances secondary evaluation of melanocytic lesions. J Invest Dermatol 129(1):131–138
Langley RG, Walsh N, Sutherland AE, Propperova I, Delaney L, Morris SF et al (2007) The diagnostic accuracy of in vivo confocal scanning laser microscopy compared to dermoscopy of benign and malignant melanocytic lesions: a prospective study. Dermatology 215:365–372
Rajadhyaksha M, Grossman M, Esterowitz D, Webb RH, Anderson RR (1995) In vivo confocal scanning laser microscopy of human skin: melanin provides strong contrast. J Invest Dermatol 104:946–952
Gibson LE, Goellner JR (1988) Amelanotic melanoma: cases studied by Fontana stain, S-100 immunostain, and ultrastructural examination. Mayo Clin Proc 63(8):777–782
Erlandson RA (1987) Ultrastructural diagnosis of amelanotic malignant melanoma: aberrant melanosomes, myelin figures or lysosomes? Ultrastruct Pathol 11(2–3):191–208
Curiel-Lewandrowski C, Williams CM, Swindells KJ, Tahan SR, Astner S, Frankenthaler RA et al (2004) Use of in vivo confocal microscopy in malignant melanoma: an aid in diagnosis and assessment of surgical and nonsurgical therapeutic approaches. Arch Dermatol 140:1127–1132
Guitera P, Pellacani G, Crotty KA, Scolyer RA, Li LX, Bassoli S, Vinceti M, Rabinovitz H, Longo C, Menzies SW (2010) The impact of in vivo reflectance confocal microscopy on the diagnostic accuracy of lentigo maligna and equivocal pigmented and nonpigmented macules of the face. J Invest Dermatol [Epub ahead of print]
Segura S, Pellacani G, Puig S, Longo C, Bassoli S, Guitera P, Palou J, Menzies S, Seidenari S, Malvehy J (2008) In vivo microscopic features of nodular melanomas: dermoscopy, confocal microscopy, and histopathologic correlates. Arch Dermatol 144(10):1311–1320
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2012 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Guitera, P. (2012). Amelanotic Melanoma. In: Hofmann-Wellenhof, R., Pellacani, G., Malvehy, J., Soyer, H. (eds) Reflectance Confocal Microscopy for Skin Diseases. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-21997-9_17
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-21997-9_17
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg
Print ISBN: 978-3-642-21996-2
Online ISBN: 978-3-642-21997-9
eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)