[Atypical pigmented penile macules]

Actas Dermosifiliogr. 2006 Sep;97(7):470-2. doi: 10.1016/s0001-7310(06)73444-5.
[Article in Spanish]

Abstract

Two patients with pigmented lesions of the penis are described. The lesions consisted of asymptomatic, multifocal, irregular macules, with variegated pigmentation. The main differential diagnostic problem was with mucocutaneous melanoma. Histologic examination of the lesions showed basal layer hyperpigmentation. No cytologic atypia of melanocytes was detectable. The diagnosis in both cases was melanotic macules. Because of their atypical clinical appearance, genital melanotic macules are often misinterpreted as mucocutaneous melanoma. However histopathologic study solves the problem because genital melanotic macules show no melanocytic proliferation nor melanocytic atypia.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Humans
  • Lentigo / pathology*
  • Male
  • Penis*