MRF-Logo2019-Horizontal-RGB
Please Explain This Portion Of Pathology
REGISTER
The information on this site is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Content within the patient forum is user-generated and has not been reviewed by medical professionals. Other sections of the Melanoma Research Foundation website include information that has been reviewed by medical professionals as appropriate. All medical decisions should be made in consultation with your doctor or other qualified medical professional.

Please Explain This Portion Of Pathology

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Please Explain This Portion Of Pathology

  • Post
    • January 7, 2011 at 1:34 pm
    djpayn
    Participant

      Can Anyone Explain This To Me Please.

       

      1. Histolic Sections Show A Deep Scallop Biopsy.  There Is An Isolated Neoplasm Composed Of Atypical Melanocytes In Sheets, Nests, Trabeculae And Single Cells Within The Dermis. There Is Also An Intraepidermal Component Of Irregular Nests And Single Cells With Pagetoid Spread. The Cark's Level is V, The Breslow Thickness Is Greater Than 4.0 MM (Four Point Zero Millimeters). The Tumor Is Transected At The Base. Regression Is Absent. There Are 60 (Sixty) Mitosis Per Square Millimeter.

       

       

      Can Anyone Explain This To Me Please.

       

      1. Histolic Sections Show A Deep Scallop Biopsy.  There Is An Isolated Neoplasm Composed Of Atypical Melanocytes In Sheets, Nests, Trabeculae And Single Cells Within The Dermis. There Is Also An Intraepidermal Component Of Irregular Nests And Single Cells With Pagetoid Spread. The Cark's Level is V, The Breslow Thickness Is Greater Than 4.0 MM (Four Point Zero Millimeters). The Tumor Is Transected At The Base. Regression Is Absent. There Are 60 (Sixty) Mitosis Per Square Millimeter.

       

       

      I Am Uncertain What This Means And Am Concerned With The Mitosis Rate. Please Explain Mitosis And If This Rate (60) Is Common Or Bad.

    Viewing 3 reply threads
    • Replies
        • January 7, 2011 at 2:28 pm
        Cynthia C
        Participant

          I can't answer your mitosis question. My interpretation of the above report is that person it refers to needs to be at the best possible Melanoma center immediately.

          Sending positive thoughts your way, Cynthia

          • January 7, 2011 at 2:28 pm
          Cynthia C
          Participant

            I can't answer your mitosis question. My interpretation of the above report is that person it refers to needs to be at the best possible Melanoma center immediately.

            Sending positive thoughts your way, Cynthia

            • January 7, 2011 at 3:21 pm
            Janner
            Participant

              When you post a pathology report, it is always best if you post the entire report including diagnosis.  However, this appears to be a deep and quickly dividing melanoma.  The lesion is at least 4mm deep and has entered the subcutaneous fat layer (Clark's Level V).  The biopsy cut through the bottom of the lesion so you won't ever really know the actual depth – but once a lesion is over 4mm, staging doesn't change anyway.  A mitosis of 60 is considered high.  Ideally, you'd like to see 0.  Mitosis means the number of cells seen actively dividing in a specific sized area.  This looks like a higher risk lesion.  A SNB and possibly scans would be the next steps here if not already done.  I agree with the other poster that it's probably a good thing to be seen by a melanoma specialist on this one. 

              Best wishes,

              Janner

              • January 7, 2011 at 3:21 pm
              Janner
              Participant

                When you post a pathology report, it is always best if you post the entire report including diagnosis.  However, this appears to be a deep and quickly dividing melanoma.  The lesion is at least 4mm deep and has entered the subcutaneous fat layer (Clark's Level V).  The biopsy cut through the bottom of the lesion so you won't ever really know the actual depth – but once a lesion is over 4mm, staging doesn't change anyway.  A mitosis of 60 is considered high.  Ideally, you'd like to see 0.  Mitosis means the number of cells seen actively dividing in a specific sized area.  This looks like a higher risk lesion.  A SNB and possibly scans would be the next steps here if not already done.  I agree with the other poster that it's probably a good thing to be seen by a melanoma specialist on this one. 

                Best wishes,

                Janner

            Viewing 3 reply threads
            • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
            About the MRF Patient Forum

            The MRF Patient Forum is the oldest and largest online community of people affected by melanoma. It is designed to provide peer support and information to caregivers, patients, family and friends. There is no better place to discuss different parts of your journey with this cancer and find the friends and support resources to make that journey more bearable.

            The information on the forum is open and accessible to everyone. To add a new topic or to post a reply, you must be a registered user. Please note that you will be able to post both topics and replies anonymously even though you are logged in. All posts must abide by MRF posting policies.

            Popular Topics