Davis Daniel A, Kurtz Kevin A, Robinson Robert A
Department of Dermatology, University of Arkansas for the Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 52205, USA.
Dermatol Surg. 2005 Jul;31(7 Pt 1):753-6; discussion 756. doi: 10.1097/00042728-200507000-00004.
Immunohistochemistry has revolutionized the use of frozen sections for the removal of melanoma.
Two studies were performed to address the best and fastest way to stain melanocytes in frozen tissue sections.
Fifty-six standing cones were taken from sun-damaged white skin and stained with combinations of anti-S-100, anti-HMB-45, anti-Melan-A, and azure B with appropriate controls.
Anti-Melan-A was the best immunohistochemical stain. Azure B stains melanin granules metachromatically green and allows differentiation of melanocytes and melanophages. Ultrarapid staining worked as well as rapid staining.
Dako's EnVision ultrarapid staining protocol and azure B counterstain represent a dramatic improvement and should be considered the easily obtainable histologic standard when excising cutaneous melanoma.
