Dermoscopy and confocal microscopy of nested melanoma of the elderly: recognizing a newly defined entity

JAMA Dermatol. 2013 Aug;149(8):941-5. doi: 10.1001/jamadermatol.2013.321.

Abstract

Importance: Nested melanoma of the elderly is a newly identified histopathologic variant of superficial spreading melanoma, characterized by intraepidermal large nests. However, the clinical, dermoscopic, and confocal aspects have been depicted only partially.

Observations: In our cases series, nested melanoma was a flat, irregularly shaped lesion with variably pigmented and irregularly distributed globules on dermoscopic examination. Confocal microscopy revealed the presence of a "clod" pattern made of large compact nests with variable atypia. These findings correlated well with histopathologic features.

Conclusions and relevance: Nested melanoma of the elderly should be included in the differential diagnosis when a flat pigmented lesion, showing dermoscopically an irregular globular pattern, is seen in a patient older than 60 years.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Age Factors
  • Aged
  • Dermoscopy / methods*
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Melanoma / diagnosis*
  • Melanoma / pathology
  • Microscopy, Confocal / methods*
  • Middle Aged
  • Skin Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Skin Neoplasms / pathology