C. Boivin et al., MORPHOMETRIC ANALYSIS OF MELANOCYTIC TUMORS - A STUDY OF NUCLEAR-AREAAND DENSITY, The American journal of dermatopathology, 16(2), 1994, pp. 145-149
Because the differential diagnosis of melanocytic tumors is sometimes
difficult, we performed a morphometric analysis of 20 benign nevi, 20
malignant melanomas, and 10 Spitz's nevi. The nuclear pleomorphism and
the maturation to the depth of the tumor were quantified by measuring
nuclear area and nuclear density at serial levels of the tumor (every
220 mu m of thickness). Data obtained were analyzed statistically. Li
near regression was used to represent the variation of nuclear area to
the depth, and the standard deviation of nuclear areas reflected nucl
ear pleomorphism. We attempted to separate different tumors from each
other using the Jacknife procedure and morphometric data. Using the Ja
cknife procedure rather than the usual histological procedures, we wer
e able to distinguish benign nevi from Spitz's nevi and malignant mela
noma in as many as 92% of cases, but we distinguished Spitz's nevi fro
m malignant melanoma in only up to 60% of cases. In conclusion, we fou
nd it difficult to distinguish between Spitz nevi and melanoma using n
uclear morphometric parameters. Other studies using new morphometic pa
rameters are needed in order to improve our ability to make this discr
imination.