Clear cell sarcoma (malignant melanoma of soft parts) of the calf.

Clear cell sarcoma (malignant melanoma of soft parts) is a rare malignancy that is found in the young adult, and is generally located in the extremiti es of the limbs. In this study, a new case has been reported in a 24-year o ld male with no previous history of cutaneous melanoma. The tumor consisted of fusiform or round cells with clear or granulocytic cytoplasm and vesicu lar nuclei. The patient was treated by surgical resection of the tumor and postoperative radiotherapy. Eight years later, metastatic nodes were detect ed in the inguinal region. The histogenesis of this tumor has not yet been determined, and it poses a diagnostic problem for pathologists as it can be mistaken for a malignant metastatic cutaneous melanoma. (C) 2001 Editions scientifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS.