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Melanoma of Vulva
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Melanoma of Vulva

The specimen is a portion of a vulvectomy.
The neoplasm which is not pigmented is a multilobular, tan, fleshy somewhat gelatinous mass replacing the central portion of the vulva.
The normal anatomy is not identifiable in this close up view.
(Description By:Melinda Sanders, M.D. )
(Image Contrib. by: Hartford Hospital )
Malignant Melanoma of Vulva
Etiology

Unknown in this non-sun exposed area.
Pathogenesis

Unknown,
Epidemiology

Less than 5% vulvar cancers
Less than 2% melanomas
Post-menopausal women
General Gross Description

May be reddish plaque or pigmented plaque or nodule
General Microscopic Description

Composed of cells which infiltrate the mucosa, may nest at the mucosa-submucosal junction, and infiltrate underlying submucosa.
Large nuclei, very large nucleoli
May be epithelioid or spindle
May have numerous mitotic figures
Are not cohesive
Clinical Correlation

Prognosis dependent on the depth of invasion
Widely disseminates and is non responsive to most modalities of therapy
Localized lesions treated surgically.
References

Cotran RS, Kumar V, Robbins SL: Robbins Pathologic Basis of Disease. 5th ed. Philadelphia, W.B. Saunders, 1994, pp. 1043.
Malignant Melanoma of Vulva
Synopsis by: Melinda Sanders M.D. (T80100M87203)[268]
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