DESMOPLASTIC MALIGNANT-MELANOMA - CLINICA L AND HISTOPATHOLOGICAL RESULTS FROM 34 PATIENTS

Clinical and histopathological findings of 34 cases of desmoplastic ma lignant, melanoma (DMM) are summarized and compared to the literature. DMM develop mostly in sun damaged skin of elderly patients, they are rare and often nonpigmented tumors that are difficult to diagnose clin ically. In all cases tile tumor parameters showed level IV or V melano mas (level IV: 55.9%, level IV-V: 14.7%. level V: 29.4%) and the tumor thickness measured 3,85 mm +/- 2,31 mm (1,0-11,0 mm). In 22 cases, th e follow-up time was between 2 and 7 years, Local recurrences were obs erved in 7 (=31,8%) patients, metastases in 4 (=18,2%) and tumor-relat ed deaths in 3, The prognosis for our patients seems to be slightly be tter than that described in the literature. The main reason is an impr oved histological diagnosis of this special type of melanoma. Using im munohistochemical staining with anti-S100 antibody it is possible to e stablish the melanocytic nature of these fibrotic spindle cell tumors earlier that is, in small initial biopsies, and tumor margins can be d efined more accurately. As a consequence, surgery is done earlier and is more likely to be curative.