[The "red melanoma"--a rare form of amelanotic malignant melanoma]

Abstract

The two major variants of amelanotic malignant melanoma are the verrucous and the polypoid forms. A further--albeit rare--red eczematous variety has also been described. We report two female patients with reddish, non-pigmented, scaly lesions on the upper arm and the shoulder that had developed 2 to 3 years previously. One biopsy showed the diagnosis of a melanoma growing in situ while the second revealed a highly atypical melanocytic tumour. However, the histopathological examination of the entire tumour showed a superficial spreading amelanotic malignant melanoma. Therefore, in non-healing erythematous lesions, even without pigmentation or ulceration, the rare differential diagnosis of amelanotic malignant melanoma should be taken in consideration and a biopsy should be performed prior to therapy without histological control.