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Dika E, Lambertini M, Pellegrini C, Veronesi G, Melotti B, Riefolo M, Sperandi F, Patrizi A, Ricci C, Mussi M, Fargnoli MC. Cutaneous and Mucosal Melanomas of Uncommon Sites: Where Do We Stand Now? J Clin Med 2021; 10:478. [PMID: 33525348 PMCID: PMC7866093 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10030478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2021] [Revised: 01/18/2021] [Accepted: 01/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Melanomas arising at uncommon sites include a group of lesions related to unusual localizations in specific ethnic groups. The rarity of the disease often represents a limit to the participation of patients in specific trials. However, this peculiar genetic scenario has important therapeutic implications regarding new oncologic therapies. The aim of this article is to review the clinical features, somatic alterations and therapeutic options for melanomas of uncommon sites. They can be classified as cutaneous and mucosal lesions affecting the nail apparatus, palms/soles, oral mucosa, genital area and scalp. The prognosis may be worse compared to melanomas of other districts, and a prompt diagnosis may dramatically influence the outcome. Dermatologists and oncologists should therefore distinguish this melanoma subgroup in terms of surgical intervention and medical treatment. Due to the lack of mutations in genes usually found in cutaneous melanomas, the discovery of novel targets is required to develop new strategies and to change the prognosis of non-responders or wild-type patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emi Dika
- Dermatology, IRCCS Policlinico di Sant’Orsola, via Massarenti 9, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (M.L.); (G.V.); (A.P.); (M.M.)
- Dermatology, Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine (DIMES), University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Martina Lambertini
- Dermatology, IRCCS Policlinico di Sant’Orsola, via Massarenti 9, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (M.L.); (G.V.); (A.P.); (M.M.)
- Dermatology, Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine (DIMES), University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Cristina Pellegrini
- Dermatology, Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Science, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy; (C.P.); (M.C.F.)
| | - Giulia Veronesi
- Dermatology, IRCCS Policlinico di Sant’Orsola, via Massarenti 9, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (M.L.); (G.V.); (A.P.); (M.M.)
- Dermatology, Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine (DIMES), University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Barbara Melotti
- Division of Oncology, IRCCS di Policlinico Sant’Orsola, via Massarenti 9, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (B.M.); (F.S.)
| | - Mattia Riefolo
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (M.R.); (C.R.)
| | - Francesca Sperandi
- Division of Oncology, IRCCS di Policlinico Sant’Orsola, via Massarenti 9, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (B.M.); (F.S.)
| | - Annalisa Patrizi
- Dermatology, IRCCS Policlinico di Sant’Orsola, via Massarenti 9, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (M.L.); (G.V.); (A.P.); (M.M.)
- Dermatology, Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine (DIMES), University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Costantino Ricci
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (M.R.); (C.R.)
- Pathology Unit, Ospedale Maggiore, 40100 Bologna, Italy
| | - Martina Mussi
- Dermatology, IRCCS Policlinico di Sant’Orsola, via Massarenti 9, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (M.L.); (G.V.); (A.P.); (M.M.)
- Dermatology, Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine (DIMES), University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Maria Concetta Fargnoli
- Dermatology, Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Science, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy; (C.P.); (M.C.F.)
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Dika E, Starace M, Lambertini M, Patrizi A, Veronesi G, Alessandrini A, Piraccini BM. Oral and nail pigmentations: a useful parallelism for the clinician. J Dtsch Dermatol Ges 2020; 18:7-14. [PMID: 31951106 DOI: 10.1111/ddg.14023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2019] [Accepted: 07/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Oral (OP) and nail (NP) pigmentations may occur simultaneously in physiological or pathological conditions, and may be a sign of underlying syndromic conditions that necessitate further investigation and treatment. Interestingly, the nail unit and oral cavity show a clinical parallelism that may help the clinician to conduct a correct examination and reach a prompt diagnosis. Both OP and NP can manifest clinically with focal or diffuse involvement and are due to external factors (exogenous pigmentation, drug-induced pigmentation) or endogenous factors (racial pigmentation, post-inflammatory pigmentation, nevi, genetic conditions and other disorders). The most concerning differential diagnosis is melanoma. Here we report the pathogenetic basis of OP and NP, together with the description of similar clinical features. To the best of our knowledge this is the first paper to summarize and describe the causes of pigmentation of both the oral cavity and the nail unit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emi Dika
- Dermatology, Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Michela Starace
- Dermatology, Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Martina Lambertini
- Dermatology, Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Annalisa Patrizi
- Dermatology, Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Giulia Veronesi
- Dermatology, Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Aurora Alessandrini
- Dermatology, Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Bianca Maria Piraccini
- Dermatology, Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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Dika E, Starace M, Lambertini M, Patrizi A, Veronesi G, Alessandrini A, Piraccini BM. Orale und Nagelpigmentierungen: eine für den Kliniker nützliche Parallelität. J Dtsch Dermatol Ges 2020; 18:7-16. [DOI: 10.1111/ddg.14023_g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2019] [Accepted: 07/21/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Emi Dika
- DermatologyDepartment of ExperimentalDiagnostic and Specialty MedicineUniversity of Bologna Bologna Italy
| | - Michela Starace
- DermatologyDepartment of ExperimentalDiagnostic and Specialty MedicineUniversity of Bologna Bologna Italy
| | - Martina Lambertini
- DermatologyDepartment of ExperimentalDiagnostic and Specialty MedicineUniversity of Bologna Bologna Italy
| | - Annalisa Patrizi
- DermatologyDepartment of ExperimentalDiagnostic and Specialty MedicineUniversity of Bologna Bologna Italy
| | - Giulia Veronesi
- DermatologyDepartment of ExperimentalDiagnostic and Specialty MedicineUniversity of Bologna Bologna Italy
| | - Aurora Alessandrini
- DermatologyDepartment of ExperimentalDiagnostic and Specialty MedicineUniversity of Bologna Bologna Italy
| | - Bianca Maria Piraccini
- DermatologyDepartment of ExperimentalDiagnostic and Specialty MedicineUniversity of Bologna Bologna Italy
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