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Melan‐A as a useful diagnostic immunohistochemical stain for the diagnosis of primary sinonasal melanomas
Author(s) -
Snyder Matthew L.,
Paulino Augusto F. G.
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
head and neck
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.012
H-Index - 127
eISSN - 1097-0347
pISSN - 1043-3074
DOI - 10.1002/hed.10007
Subject(s) - immunohistochemistry , medicine , stain , hmb 45 , melanoma , pathology , staining , negative stain , positive staining , electron microscope , physics , cancer research , optics
Abstract Background Sinonasal melanomas are rare neoplasms whose diagnosis may require confirmatory immunohistochemical stains. S‐100 protein and HMB‐45, the stains most commonly used, have varying sensitivities and specificities. Melan‐A, a more recent melanoma‐specific marker, may prove helpful when S‐100 protein and HMB‐45 stains are negative or equivocal. Methods Seven cases of sinonasal melanoma were assessed for reactivity with Melan‐A, S‐100 protein and HMB‐45. Results The study group consisted of two women and five men ages 40 to 83. Six of the neoplasms were strongly positive for S‐100 protein. One case was negative for S‐100 protein and HMB‐45 but positive for Melan‐A. HMB‐45 staining varied between diffusely positive (three cases), focally positive (two cases), and negative (two cases). All cases were positive for Melan‐A either diffusely (four cases) or focally (three cases). Conclusion Because Melan‐A can be positive in cases that are S‐100 protein or HMB‐45 negative, it is a useful component in the immunohistochemical panel for the diagnosis of sinonasal melanomas. © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Head Neck 24: 52–55, 2002.