MicroRNAs expression associated with aggressive clinicopathological features and poor prognosis in primary cutaneous melanomas.

Several studies have focused on identifying microRNAs involved in the pathogenesis of melanoma. However, its association with clinicopathological features has been scarcely addressed. The aim of this study is to identify microRNAs expression profiles related to aggressive clinicopathological and molecular features, and to analyze the association with melanoma survival. A retrospective and observational study was performed in a series of 179 formalin-fixed paraffin embedded primary cutaneous melanomas. First, a screening analysis on a discovery set (n = 22) using miRNA gene chip array (Affymetrix, Santa Clara, California, USA) was performed. Differentially expressed microRNAs were detected employing the software Partek Genomic Suite. Validation of four microRNAs was subsequently performed in the entire series (n = 179) by quantitative real time PCR (qRT-PCR). MicroRNAs expression screening analysis identified 101 microRNAs differentially expressed according to Breslow thickness (≤1 mm vs. >1 mm), 79 according to the presence or absence of ulceration, 78 according to mitosis/mm2 (<1 mitosis vs. ≥1 mitosis) and 97 according to the TERT promoter status (wt vs. mutated). Six microRNAs (miR-138-5p, miR-130b-3p, miR-30b-5p, miR-34a-5p, miR-500a-5p, miR-339-5p) were selected for being validated by qRT-PCR in the discovery set (n = 22). Of those, miR-138-5p, miR-130b-3p, miR-30b-5p, miR-34a-5p were selected for further analysis in the entire series (n = 179). Overexpression of miR-138-5p and miR-130b-3p was significantly associated with greater Breslow thickness, ulceration, and mitosis. TERT mutated melanomas overexpressed miR-138-5p. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed poorer survival in melanomas with miR-130b-3p overexpression. Our findings provide support for the existence of a microRNA expression profile in melanomas with aggressive clinicopathological features and poor prognosis.

Apocrine hidrocystoma on the nipple: the first report in this unusual location.

Apocrine hidrocystoma is a rare, benign, cystic tumor of the apocrine sweat glands. They are most commonly located around the eyes and may also be found on the scalp and neck. However, despite the fact that the nipple and areola contain numerous apocrine sweet glands, apocrine hydrocystomas have not been described previously in this area to the best of our knowledge. We report the first case of this cyst in this unsual location.

Juvenile melanocytic acral nevus: A comparative study between MANIAC and non-MANIAC nevus and its clinicopathological characteristics.

BACKGROUND: Melanocytic acral nevi have a series of distinguishing features, including their location, patient age at onset, clinical progression, and histological findings. In particular, histopathological analysis often reveals a melanocytic acral nevus with intraepidermal ascent of cells (MANIAC nevus), which in some cases can be mistaken for atypia or malignancy. AIM: This study describes the clinicopathological characteristics of acral nevi in patients under 18 years old and contrasts the clinical and histological features between MANIAC vs non-MANIAC nevi. METHODS: This was a retrospective observational study, performed in our department in the decade between January 2007 and January 2017. We included patients younger than 18 years of age who were subjected to the removal of melanocytic acral nevi. RESULTS: A total of 70 patients were studied. 54.2% (38/70) were females and 45.8% (32/70) were males. With regard to the type of nevus, 34 were compound, 27 were junctional, and 9 were predominantly intradermal lesions. We identified a total of 41 MANIAC nevi and 29 non-MANIAC nevi. Statistically significant differences between these two groups were identified in nevus size (larger in MANIAC) and the frequency of compound nevi (higher in the MANIAC group), but not in the remainder of the histological parameters studied.

Cytoimmunofluorescence Diagnosis in Surgically Induced Pemphigus Foliaceus.

Pemphigus foliaceus is an autoimmune bullous disease with autoantibodies against desmoglein 1. Case reports of pemphigus after surgery have also been described, which may simulate an infection of the surgical wound, a contact dermatitis, or even a tumor recurrence. Cytoimmunofluorescence can help to establish a rapid diagnosis.

Primary Cutaneous Neuroendocrine Carcinoma with Diffuse Expression of Thyroid Transcription Factor-1: Report of Two Cases.

Primary cutaneous neuroendocrine carcinoma (PCNC), previously known as Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC), is a rare tumor of the skin with aggressive behavior and poor prognosis. Typically, PCNC is positive for Cytokeratin-20 (CK20) and negative for Thyroid Transcription Factor-1 (TTF-1). Rarely, CK-20 negative and TTF-1 positive PCNC have been described. We present the case of two patients with skin lesions histologically compatible with MCCs and a behavior characteristic of this disease, but with expression of TTF-1 instead of CK-20. In conclusion, there are increasing reports of TTF1+ CK20- skin lesions without signs of systemic disease which behave clinically and prognostically like a PCNC. The origin of these TTF1 tumors are, to date, unknown.

Coexistence of Pemphigus Foliaceus and Grover Disease After a Radical Surgery for Basal Cell Carcinoma.

The differential diagnosis of Grover disease (GD) includes pemphigus foliaceus. However, the focal nature of the histologic findings and negative direct immunofluorescent point to the diagnosis of GD. It has been associated with a variety of systemic and cutaneous diseases, but its association with other primary acantholytic disorders has been rarely documented. In this article, we describe the first case of GD in association with pemphigus foliaceus.

Follicle and Sebaceous Gland Multinucleated Cells in Measles.

We report the case of a 32-year-old man with measles in which skin biopsy helped to establish a definitive diagnosis. Follicular involvement is a common histopathologic feature of measles. Multinucleated epidermal and follicular cells are distinctive findings.