interpretation?

Forums General Melanoma Community interpretation?

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    JC
    Participant

      "Brisk lichenoid tissue reaction with dermal melanin pigment incontinence and focal solitary intradermal melanocytic nest.  The histopathologic features are not entirely specific. The main body of the lesion contains a brisk lichenoid tissue reaction with prominent melanin pigment incontinence into the dermis associated with lymphocytic inflammation. The findings are suggestive  of and favor a lichenoid keratosis.  However, I cannot entirely exclude the possibility of an almost fully regressed melanocytic lesion that is no longer discernible in these sections.  Additionally there is a solitary dermal melanocytic nest in the peripheral most aspect of the biopsy present at one lateral tissue edge.  This nest is present at some distance from the lichenoid tissue reaction and felt to be unrelated and incidental. An incidental solitary nest may be represented or perhaps the edge of an intradermal nevus focally sampled within the excisional tissue. Margins are narrowly free of the lichenoid tissue reaction."

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        Tim–MRF
        Guest

          I am not a doctor, but can take a stab at this. Lichenoid tissue is an area at the intersection of the dermis and epidermis (two layers of the skin) that has been infiltrated with fluid reflecting an immune or inflammatory response. The big question is this:  What caused this immune response? It can be due to a basal cell carcinoma or, as your report suggests, a keratosis. Both of these would suggest that you have nothing to worry about. But, it can also be because of a melanoma. As the report says, this tissue could be a sign that a melanoma had occurred but your immune system found it and got rid of it. This is now the left over debris.

          A lot depends on other factors. Is this from an area of sun-damaged skin? Have you had other melanonmas? Do you have red hair and light skin? 

          My guess is that given the presence of a melanocytic nest they may want to go back and re-excise the spot to be sure they have clean margins. Please note that a melanocytic nest is not melanoma. It is simply a cluster of melanocytes that are likely nothing more than the edge of a mole that was captured as part of the biopsy.

          From what I can gather of the report, the odds are this is nothing to worry about. A simple, benign, mole that was removed. But definitely worth asking more questions of your doctor to see if further follow up is needed.

          Tim–MRF

           

          Tim–MRF
          Guest

            I am not a doctor, but can take a stab at this. Lichenoid tissue is an area at the intersection of the dermis and epidermis (two layers of the skin) that has been infiltrated with fluid reflecting an immune or inflammatory response. The big question is this:  What caused this immune response? It can be due to a basal cell carcinoma or, as your report suggests, a keratosis. Both of these would suggest that you have nothing to worry about. But, it can also be because of a melanoma. As the report says, this tissue could be a sign that a melanoma had occurred but your immune system found it and got rid of it. This is now the left over debris.

            A lot depends on other factors. Is this from an area of sun-damaged skin? Have you had other melanonmas? Do you have red hair and light skin? 

            My guess is that given the presence of a melanocytic nest they may want to go back and re-excise the spot to be sure they have clean margins. Please note that a melanocytic nest is not melanoma. It is simply a cluster of melanocytes that are likely nothing more than the edge of a mole that was captured as part of the biopsy.

            From what I can gather of the report, the odds are this is nothing to worry about. A simple, benign, mole that was removed. But definitely worth asking more questions of your doctor to see if further follow up is needed.

            Tim–MRF

             

            Tim–MRF
            Guest

              I am not a doctor, but can take a stab at this. Lichenoid tissue is an area at the intersection of the dermis and epidermis (two layers of the skin) that has been infiltrated with fluid reflecting an immune or inflammatory response. The big question is this:  What caused this immune response? It can be due to a basal cell carcinoma or, as your report suggests, a keratosis. Both of these would suggest that you have nothing to worry about. But, it can also be because of a melanoma. As the report says, this tissue could be a sign that a melanoma had occurred but your immune system found it and got rid of it. This is now the left over debris.

              A lot depends on other factors. Is this from an area of sun-damaged skin? Have you had other melanonmas? Do you have red hair and light skin? 

              My guess is that given the presence of a melanocytic nest they may want to go back and re-excise the spot to be sure they have clean margins. Please note that a melanocytic nest is not melanoma. It is simply a cluster of melanocytes that are likely nothing more than the edge of a mole that was captured as part of the biopsy.

              From what I can gather of the report, the odds are this is nothing to worry about. A simple, benign, mole that was removed. But definitely worth asking more questions of your doctor to see if further follow up is needed.

              Tim–MRF

               

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