Melanoma With Reference To Its Possible Viral Etiology

 The number of melanoma cases worldwide is increasing faster than any other cancer. In Egypt,skin cancer represents 5% of the malignant tumors, 8% 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,histochemically and immunohistochemically in an attempt to clarify its pathogenesis and a trial to investigate a possible role of viruses in its etiology

Methods:

 40 cases of melanoma where retrieved from Oral pathology and maxillofacial departments faculty of dentistry,U.of alexandria and C.R.I.S.of Moscow. From 40 cases,15 were oral and 25 were cutaneous from head and neck region.All cases were AJCC stage3 and stage4 .Special stains were used including Masson - Fontana and Macchiavello techniques.Immunohistochemical techniques were applied using melanoma(gp100)Ab-1(clone HMB45)(cat.#AP-9003)and Human Papilloma Virus(HPV)Ab-3(Clone-K1H8)(cat.#AP-9003)

Results:

The primary malignant melanomas of the oral cavity showed a tendency to metastasize to regional lymph nodes.Balloon cells where only present in the metastatic foci,their presence can be attributed to disturbance in melanin synthesis .An interesting finding was the presence of clear cells derived from melanoblasts not forming melanin,with mitotic change that can pose clinical challenges in early diagnosis.Calcified bodies either intra or extra cellular,organized or non organized were detected which could be considered as one of the criteria of malignancy.  

 Conclusions:

Viral inclusion bodies were observed and were confirmed using HPV Ab in 5 of the cases which  might indicate a possible viral etiology.