Every mole starts out with the ambition to become a melanoma, including spitzoid neoplasms.
Spitzoid neoplasms represent an uncommon but diagnostically challenging group of tumors. On the one hand, they can appear histologically aggressive and highly metastatic. (The incidence of microscopic nodal disease in atypical Spitz tumors approaches 40%.) On the other hand, the vast majority (probably >99%) of individuals with atypical Spitz tumors are apparently cured with local excision. Recently, researchers performed a systematic and comprehensive molecular analysis of spitzoid neoplasms and identified a new class of molecular lesions.
They discovered kinase fusions in more than 50% of spitzoid neoplasms (ROS1 [17%], NTRK1 [16%], ALK [10%], BRAF [5%], and RET [3%]), and the mutated proteins were active, turned on oncogenic signaling pat…
Reviewing Author
DisclosuresConsultant / advisory board Lubax; WorldCare Clinical
EquityLubax
Grant / Research support NIH; Department of Defense; American Skin Association; Piramal
Editorial boardsBritish Journal of Dermatology; Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology; Journal of Investigative Dermatology
Leadership positions in professional societies American Academy of Dermatology (Chair, Skin Cancer and Melanoma Committee); American Board of Dermatology (Director)
DisclosuresConsultant / advisory board Lubax; WorldCare Clinical
EquityLubax
Grant / Research support NIH; Department of Defense; American Skin Association; Piramal
Editorial boardsBritish Journal of Dermatology; Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology; Journal of Investigative Dermatology
Leadership positions in professional societies American Academy of Dermatology (Chair, Skin Cancer and Melanoma Committee); American Board of Dermatology (Director)