Original scientific paper

A Misdiagnosed Desmoplastic Neurotropic Melanoma of the Scalp: A Challenging Case for the Pathologist and Surgeon

Tito Brambullo orcid.org/0000-0002-1041-9660 ; Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Unit, Department of Neurosciences, University of Padua, Padova, Italy
Paolo Toninello orcid.org/0000-0002-1272-321X ; Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Unit, Department of Neurosciences, University of Padua, Padova, Italy
Regina Sonda ; Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Unit, Department of Neurosciences, University of Padua, Padova, Italy
Roberto Salmaso ; Surgical Pathology & Cytopathology Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Padua, Padova, Italy
Diana Sacchi ; Surgical Pathology & Cytopathology Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Padua, Padova, Italy
Stefano Piaserico ; Unit of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, University of Padua, Padova, Italy
Franco Bassetto ; Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Unit, Department of Neurosciences, University of Padua, Padova, Italy

Abstract

Desmoplastic neurotropic melanoma (DNM) is a rare melanoma
subtype that shows tropism for the nerves, perineural invasion correlates to
higher rate of local recurrence, poorer prognosis and worse morbidity. Given
the paucity of typical melanoma features, both clinical and pathological, this
confusing skin cancer may act as a pretender, thus leading clinician to misdiagnosis
and subsequent inappropriate conservative treatment. Sarcomatoid-
like cells rearrangement and absence of pigmentation can lead towards
sarcoma diagnosis, so specific skills are required to pathologist to properly recognize
this melanoma subtype. In this case report, we present an example of
how challenging can be the diagnosis, and how it can affect clinical outcome

Keywords

desmoplastic, neurotropic, melanoma, skin tumor, sarcomatoid, dermatosurgery

Hrčak ID:

274490

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/274490

Publication date:

15.9.2021.

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