Ronald P. Rapini

Primary malignant melanoma of the oral cavity. A review of 177 cases.

Malignant melanoma of the oral cavity is rare, accounting for about 1% to 8% of all melanomas. There have been no prospective studies of melanoma in this location, and all previous papers have reported small numbers of cases or have retrospectively reviewed case reports from the literature. The authors report six new cases and review 171 cases published since the last major review in 1975. The classification of oral melanomas with radial growth phases is discussed.

Isotretinoin therapy for acne: Results of a multicenter dose-response study

One hundred fifty patients with treatment-resistant nodulocystic acne were entered into a double-blind clinical study. Three different dosing levels (0.1, 0.5, 1.0 mg/kg/day) were used in equal-sized groups. In addition to the clinical response, the clinical side effects, the laboratory abnormalities, and the duration of the induced remissions were evaluated with each dose of the drug. There was a highly significant clinical response to treatment with all three dosages of isotretinoin. There was no significant difference in the clinical response between dosages. However, 42% of the patients who received 0.1 mg/kg/day of isotretinoin required retreatment with the drug. This finding, coupled with only minor differences in the clinical side effects and the laboratory abnormalities, indicates that higher dose levels of isotretinoin are indicated for treatment of nodulocystic acne.

Expression of the human hematopoietic progenitor cell antigen CD34 in vascular and spindle cell tumors.

The human hematopoietic progenitor cell antigen is known as CD34. This antigen is present on normal bone marrow progenitor cells and vaseular endothelial cells. We used the monoclonal antibody auti‐CD34 and immunoperoxidase staining techniques to evaluate the expression of CD34 in benign and malignant vascular and spindle cell tumors. All of the 42 vascular lesions, except two of three lesions of intravascular papillary endothelial hyperplasia, demonstrated diffuse membraneous staining of moderate lo strong intensity of their endothelial cells. Also, normal placentas (five) showed similar staining. All neurofibromas (12), three of five neuromas, and one of four neurilemmomas revealed moderate to strong, diffuse, membraneous staining. Five of eight piloleiomyomas, two of seven angiolciomyomas, and one of five uterine leiomyomas showed focal to dilluse, and weak to moderate, membraneous staining in the smooth muscle component. Six dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans were studied: generalized, strongly positive membraneous staining was present in four. All specimens showed staining of the normal endothelial cells and the cells surrounding the hair follicles (bulge area), sebaceous glands, and eccrine glands. No staining was demonstrated in any of the following fibrohistiocytic tumors: atypical fibroxanthomas (two), fibrous dermatofibromas (23), giant cell tumor of tendon sheath (one), and hemosiderotic dermatofibromas (18). Melanocytic tumors (Spitz nevi (three) and spindle cell superficial spreading malignant melanoma (one)], Merkel cell carcinomas (six), and spindle cell squamous cell carcinomas (two) did not stain with anti‐CD34. Glomus tumors (two) and a hemangiopericytoma were also negative except for their vascular channels. This study demonstates that reactivity with anti‐CD34 is not limited to normal vascular endothelial cells and their neoplasms.

Comparison of methods for checking surgical margins

Surgical margins of a cutaneous neoplasm can be evaluated by various combinations of three major types of sections: vertical (perpendicular), horizontal (parallel), and oblique (Mohs method). Vertical sections may run transversely through tumor (breadloaf method), longitudinally through tumor (breadloaf-cross method), or peripheral to the tumor. The peripheral (perimeter) sectioning methods are the only methods that can evaluate almost 100% of the margin, but they have the disadvantage of not showing the relationship of the tumor to its margin, which can be seen clearly with the vertical transverse sections. Seven methods of checking surgical margins are compared and contrasted. None of these is judged to be perfect or best.

Sclerotic fibromas of the skin

Eleven cases of a peculiar, hyalinized, hypocellular dermal fibroma are reported. The lesions are characterized by epidermal atrophy, a whorled appearance of sclerotic collagen bundles separated by clefts containing mucin, and sharp demarcation of the lesions from the surrounding normal skin. They are small white or flesh-colored waxy papules. Multiple lesions of this type have been reported in the multiple hamartoma syndrome (Cowdens disease). We believe that the solitary lesions of these eleven patients who did not have Cowdens disease represent an unrecognized form of the same fibrous hamartoma that occurs in Cowdens disease.

Acral melanocytic neoplasms: A histologic analysis of 158 lesions

BACKGROUND Acral nevi occasionally demonstrate pagetoid spread of melanocytes. This feature may be of considerable concern because it is commonly associated with melanoma. Other features of melanoma must be assessed to accurately classify these neoplasms as benign. OBJECTIVE We examined acral melanocytic lesions, benign and malignant, to evaluate their features. METHODS A retrospective analysis during 3 years was performed on 158 acral pigmented lesions diagnosed by the dermatopathology service. Blue nevi, intradermal nevi, lentigines, and Spitz nevi were excluded. The specimens were divided into three groups: benign nevi, benign nevi with pagetoid spread, and melanoma. They were evaluated for circumscription, symmetry, papillary dermal fibroplasia, bridging between rete ridges, inflammatory infiltrate, pagetoid spread, cytologic atypia, and mitotic activity. RESULTS Most lesions (60%) were compound nevi and 84% were from the foot. Ten specimens were melanomas (6%) and 28 (18%) were nevi with architectural disorder. Pagetoid spread of melanocytes, often minimal, was found in 57 benign lesions. However, these nevi did not demonstrate the degree of pagetoid spread, cellular atypia, inflammation, and asymmetry found in malignant lesions. CONCLUSIONS The presence of pagetoid spread of melanocytes is common in otherwise benign acral nevi. Other parameters of malignancy in these neoplasms must be evaluated to determine their biologic potential.

Human immunodeficiency virus—associated vitiligo: Expression of autoimmunity with immunodeficiency?

Persistent viral infections have been postulated to be trigger factors for the development of autoimmune disease. We report the development of vitiligo in four patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)—related conditions and in one patient with hepatitis who later developed both psoriasis and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Other common features were hepatitis and multiple other viral infections. Ribavirin was associated with repigmentation in one patient. Vitiligo may be an example of an autoimmune disease triggered by viral infection in a genetically predisposed host.

Osteomas of the skin revisited: a clinicopathologic review of 74 cases.

Cutaneous ossification is an unusual event that may be primary or secondary to either inflammatory or neoplastic processes. It is classified as primary when it occurs in the absence of a demonstrable preexisting lesion. Secondary lesions have been most commonly reported occurring with pilomatricoma, basal cell carcinoma, acne vulgaris, and melanocytic nevi (nevus of Nanta). Histologically, the osteomas are composed of well-formed bony spicules with prominent cement lines and calcification. They may demonstrate osteoblasts, osteoclasts, and osteocytes and occasionally may even demonstrate bone marrow elements. We searched the files of a reference dermatopathology laboratory to identify cases of either primary or secondary cutaneous ossification. We present a series of 74 cases of primary and secondary cutaneous ossification. Most cases were secondary in nature. Lesions were more common on the head and neck and in whites. Lesions were also more commonly identified in female patients. In addition, included in our series are 19 cases of nevus of Nanta. To our knowledge, this represents the largest series of such cases in the English literature. Cutaneous ossification is seen both in primary and, more commonly, in secondary conditions involving the skin. Benign neoplasms, especially melanocytic nevi, represent the most common cause of secondary osteoma formation. Women are more commonly affected than men, but the reason for this is unclear. The exact reason why osteoma formation occurs is unclear and requires further study.

Pitfalls of Mohs micrographic surgery

This article discusses some of the pitfalls and disadvantages of Mohs micrographic surgery for the excision of skin cancer. These include (1) frozen section quality; (2) interpretation of frozen sections; (3) holes in fragmented tissue margins; (4) tissue orientation problems; (5) excessively narrow or wide margins; (6) transection of the tumor itself; (7) problems with multifocal tumor; and (8) the tedious, time-consuming nature of the procedure. Despite these problems, the importance of the procedure in the treatment of cutaneous neoplasms should not be underestimated.

Inflammation of actinic keratoses from systemic chemotherapy

Seven patients receiving systemic chemotherapy for solid tumors developed an erythematous papulosquamous eruption resembling a drug eruption in sun-exposed areas. Careful examination revealed that the lesions were actually inflamed actinic keratoses. Biopsies of typical lesions in three of the patients confirmed this clinical impression. While one patient was receiving systemic 5-fluorouracil alone, and three were receiving 5-fluorouracil and cisplatin, three others developed inflammatory flares of actinic keratoses while receiving other chemotherapeutic drugs. One patient received doxorubicin and vincristine, one received doxorubicin alone, and one received the combination of dactinomycin, vincristine, and decarbazine. Since this phenomenon appears to be due to the effect of chemotherapy on the atypical keratinocytes present in actinic keratoses, discontinuation of the chemotherapy is not indicated in this situation.