Blue Nevus-Like Metastasis of a Cutaneous Melanoma Identified by Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization

Am J Dermatopathol. 2016 Sep;38(9):695-7. doi: 10.1097/DAD.0000000000000567.

Abstract

A blue nevus-like melanoma is a rare melanoma variant arising from or histologically similar to a blue nevus. It can be challenging to distinguish a cellular blue nevus from a blue nevus-like melanoma, particularly in cases of blue nevus-like melanoma lacking a transition from a clearly benign component. We present a case of a 78-year-old man who refused treatment for a previously existing melanoma and subsequently developed a gray nodule near the site of the previous melanoma. After fluorescence in situ hybridization revealed copy number gains in RREB1, this was diagnosed as a blue nevus-like metastatic melanoma. Blue nevus-like metastatic melanoma is most commonly seen near the site of the primary cutaneous melanoma. This entity should be considered in a patient with a history of melanoma and a new blue nevus-like lesion.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Gene Dosage
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence
  • Male
  • Melanoma / diagnosis
  • Melanoma / genetics
  • Melanoma / pathology*
  • Melanoma, Cutaneous Malignant
  • Nevus, Blue / diagnosis
  • Skin Neoplasms
  • Transcription Factors / genetics

Substances

  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • RREB1 protein, human
  • Transcription Factors