Dermatology, Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna, Italy.
Laboratory of Oncologic and Transplantation Molecular Pathology, Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna, Italy.
Am J Clin Pathol. 2019 Jun 5;152(1):109-114. doi: 10.1093/ajcp/aqz029.
The extension of atypical melanocytes to the hair follicle, also termed melanoma folliculotropism, is poorly evaluated and its role is contradictory. We performed an observational study focusing on anatomical areas rich in follicles, such as the head and neck region.
Primary head and neck melanomas diagnosed in the Melanoma Unit, Policlinic Sant'Orsola-Malpighi, University of Bologna were analyzed. Folliculotropism was evaluated with a quantitative and morphologic parameter. Statistical analyses were performed correlating patients' prognosis with folliculotropism and other clinical and histopathologic factors.
The study was carried out on a sample of 62 patients. The diffuse distribution (atypical melanocytes present in more than three contiguous follicular units) correlated with scalp localization, nodular subtype, higher Breslow thickness, and a poorer prognosis.
We believe that folliculotropism should be further investigated and reported by pathologists during the histologic diagnosis of melanoma.
不典型黑素细胞延伸至毛囊，也称为黑色素瘤嗜毛囊性，其评估效果不佳，且作用具有争议性。我们进行了一项观察性研究，重点关注富含毛囊的解剖区域，如头部和颈部。
分析了在博洛尼亚大学圣奥尔索拉-马尔皮基综合医院黑色素瘤科诊断的原发性头颈部黑色素瘤。采用定量和形态参数评估嗜毛囊性。对患者的预后与嗜毛囊性以及其他临床和组织病理学因素进行相关性统计分析。
该研究对 62 名患者的样本进行了分析。弥漫性分布（三个以上连续的毛囊单位中存在不典型黑素细胞）与头皮定位、结节型亚型、更高的 Breslow 厚度和更差的预后相关。
我们认为，病理学家在黑色素瘤的组织学诊断中应进一步研究和报告嗜毛囊性。
