Malignant melanoma--its precursors and its topography of proliferation. DNA-Feulgen-cytophotometry and mitosis index.

DNA-content and size of the nuclear areas in different zones of malignant melanomas of different histological types and in dysplastic naevi were measured in order to provide information on the histogenesis and proliferative behaviour of human malignant melanoma. The results were compared with those from normal epidermis, common naevi, and reactive melanocytic hyperplasias. The mitotic index of melanomas--divided into different topographic zones in an analogous way--was also determined. The DNA-histographs of all naevi and reactive melanocytic hyperplasias showed a diploid maximum, but the dysplastic naevi had a larger proportion of nuclei with hyperdiploid and tetraploid DNA-content, indicating an increased proliferative activity. The mean values (X) of nuclear areas in dysplastic naevi (DN) were about the same as in common naevi (CN) and slightly lower than in superficial spreading melanomas (SSM). The coefficient of variability (cv) as an indicator of anisokaryosis was markedly higher in DN (27.8) and SSM (29.3) than in CN (20.2). In DNA-content we found similar results: almost no difference in mean values, but DN taking an intermediate position between CN and SSM with respect to cv (CN: 12.3; DN: 21.0; SSM: 36.6). There was no unequivocal evidence in these data for DN being a precancerous stage. Superficial melanomas with a nodular component ("SSM/NM") differed from SSM and NM by increased DNA-content and greater variability of nuclear areas and showed the clearest features of malignancy in their DNA-histographs. The mitotic indices had rather low values in SSM and intraepidermal marginal zones of "SSM/NM" on one hand and markedly higher values in NM and nodular parts of "SSM/NM" on the other. The highest mitotic counts were found in the three investigated metastases.