Spindle Cell Melanoma

Melanoma is a malignant tumor of thetumours of the same cell. Spindle cell melanomas
melanocytes. These are the cells present in thehave cells, lesions of which are large and epithelioid
skin and the eyes. They are responsible for theor rounded. Epithelioid and spindle cell nodular
skin color of a person. Melanoma is considered themelanoma have certain features of the lesion. It is
most lethal form of skin cancer. An earlya prominent, ulcerated expansive nodule, involving
detection gives the patients a better chance forpapillary and reticular dermis. It contains elastotic
survival. Melanoma is a principal metastasizingmaterial and shows epidermal collarette.
tumor and is described as a primary tumor. OneThe lesions are observed on the head and neck
of the forms of melanoma is neurotropicregion of the patient. They are present as bulky
melanoma. It is characterized by spindle shapedfirm fibrous masses of tumor, usually amelanotic
cells showing patterns of neuroma.lesions. Their microscopic observations show poor,
In neurotropic melanoma, there is an abrasion thatdemarcated, infiltrating intradermal tumors, often
produces a cutaneous fibrous tumor. Neurotropicwith sparse cellularity. The tumor consists of
melanoma results in a perineural invasion andelongated spindle-shaped or fibroblast cells,
expansion along peripheral nerves. Its microscopicsurrounded by mature collagen bundles. Spindle cell
picture is characterized by patterns of schwannmelanomas are common. The cells of such lesions
and spindle cells. They appear as poorly definedare large, epithelioid or rounded. The tumor
margins. It is difficult to diagnose this pattern as itdisplays fascicular or storiform growth pattern.
can be confused with the sarcomatous lesions.Sometimes spindle cell patterns in the dermal
Desmoplastic melanomas, spindle cell melanomascomponent of a melanoma are commonly
and neurotropic melanomas are all malignantmistaken for the patterns of a spitz.