BRAF mutations might be more common than supposed in vulvar melanomas

Exp Dermatol. 2018 Feb;27(2):210-213. doi: 10.1111/exd.13472. Epub 2017 Dec 21.

Abstract

Data on BRAF, NRAS and KIT mutations are scarce in patients with vulvo-vaginal melanomas and are associated with important therapeutic issues. We investigated their prevalence in a cohort of patients with female lower genital tract melanomas between 2003 and 2017. Of the 22 patients, 5 (22.7%) harboured a BRAF mutation, which was much higher than the rate of 5% reported in the literature. One patient, who was tested negative on the primary melanoma, had a NRAS mutation in a cutaneous metastasis. Our data provide a rationale for prospective and repeated mutations testing in female lower genital tract melanomas.

Keywords: female lower genital tract; melanoma; oncogenic mutations.

Publication types

  • Letter

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • DNA Mutational Analysis
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Melanoma / genetics*
  • Melanoma / pathology
  • Melanoma, Cutaneous Malignant
  • Middle Aged
  • Mutation*
  • Prospective Studies
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf / genetics*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Skin Neoplasms / genetics
  • Skin Neoplasms / pathology
  • Vulva / pathology
  • Vulvar Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Vulvar Neoplasms / pathology

Substances

  • BRAF protein, human
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf