CLINICOPATHOLOGICAL STUDY OF MELANOMA WITH REFERENCE TO ITS POSSIBLE VIRAL ETIOLOGY

AMANI N.A.¹, ABANY M.H.², FATA M.M.^3
1Department of Oral Pathology, Faculty of Dentistry, Pharos University of Alexandria, Egypt.
²Department of Oral Pathology, Faculty of Dentistry, Pharos University of Alexandria, Egypt.
³Maxillofacial Department. Faculty of Dentistry, Pharos University of Alexandria, Egypt.

Received : 28-09-2012     Accepted : 12-05-2014     Published : 04-09-2014
Volume : 3     Issue : 2       Pages : 63 - 67
J Pathol Res 3.2 (2014):63-67

Keywords : Melanoma, special stains, Human Papilloma virus
Conflict of Interest : None declared

Background: The number of melanoma cases worldwide is increasing. In Egypt, skin cancer is uncommon malignancy. It represents 5 % of the malignant tumors, 8% of these were melanomas. The histogenesis of melanoma is still in dispute. Human Papilloma Viruses (HPV) are said to be responsible for the development of skin cancer and may play a role in the development of melanoma. This study is a trial to investigate melanoma clinically, histochemichally and immunohistochemically, to clarify its pathogenesis, and l to investigate the possible role of viruses in its etiology. Methods: 40 cases of Melanoma were retrieved from Oral pathology & Maxillofacial departments, faculty of dentistry,. University of Alexandria and the Central Research Institute of Stomatology. Moscow. From 40 cases, 15 were oral and 25 were from head and neck region. All cases were AJCC stage III and IV. Special stains were used including Masson-Fontana and Machiavelli's, techniques. Immunohistochemical techniques were applied using Melanoma (gp 100) Ab-1 (clone HMB 45)(cat.#AP-9003)and Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)Ab-3(Clone-K1H8) (cat.#AP-9003). Results: An interesting finding was the presence of clear cells derived from melanoblasts not forming melanin, with little mitotic change that can pose clinical challenges in early diagnosis. Calcified bodies either intra or extra cellular, organized or non organized were detected, could be considered as one of the criteria of malignancy. Conclusion: Viral inclusion bodies were observed and were confirmed using HPV antibody in five of the cases which might indicate a possible viral etiology.