Objective: To investigate the proliferative activity and mean nuclear volume (MNV) of melanocytic skin tumors.
Study design: Proliferative activity, assessed by immunostaining for the Ki-67 monoclonal antibody (reactive with all actively cycling cells), and MNV, estimated by means of a stereologic method, were determined in 60 cutaneous melanocytic tumors, including 28 primary malignant melanomas (PMM), 13 compound nevi (CN), 11 dysplastic nevi and 8 metastatic malignant melanomas.
Results: Both MNV and Ki-67 expression differed significantly between CN and other melanocytic tumors and showed a good correlation with Clark's level (a well-established prognostic parameter in PMM).
Conclusion: The association of proliferative activity and quantitative nuclear features may be helpful in the interpretation of the degree of malignancy in melanocytic skin tumors.