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Case Reports
. 2012 Jul;29(3):208-10.
doi: 10.4103/0970-9371.101181.

Cytodiagnosis of mucosal malignant melanoma of nasal cavity: A case report with review of literature

Pranita Medhi  1 , Manjusha Biswas, Deepak Das, Shiraj Amed
Affiliations
Case Reports

Cytodiagnosis of mucosal malignant melanoma of nasal cavity: A case report with review of literature

Pranita Medhi et al. J Cytol. 2012 Jul.

Abstract

Sinonasal malignant melanoma is of unusual occurrence. Common sites for melanomas are head, neck region, and the lower extremities as they are exposed to sunlight, which is one of the predisposing factors. We report a case of primary mucosal malignant melanoma of the nasal cavity in a 68-year-old male for its rare occurrence. The primary knowledge of its existence and evaluation of its cytological features are important for a correct preoperative cytological diagnosis and thereby clinical implications for appropriate therapeutic intervention. The cytological features when evaluated along with clinical, histopathological and immunohistochemical features are sufficiently diagnostic. The rarity of its occurrence warrants its mention.

Keywords: Cytodiagnosis; mucosal melanoma; nasal cavity.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest: None declared.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The cytological smear showed large epithelioid and few spindle cells showing hyperchromatic nuclei, macronucleoli and both intra and extracellular melanin pigments (MGG, ×1000)
Figure 2
Figure 2
(a) Intraoperative tumor-mass before resection. (b) Section showed medium to large size epithelioid and spindle cells arranged in lobules and small bundles with pleomorphic, hyperchromatic nuclei with prominent nucleoli. Both extra and intracytoplasmic melanin pigment was noted (H and E, ×400)
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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