Common blue nevus with satellite lesions needs a differential diagnosis from malignant melanoma

Recurrence of a Cellular Blue Nevus with Satellitosis-A Diagnostic Pitfall with Clinical Consequences

Blue nevus is a benign melanocytic lesion, typically asymptomatic and of unknown etiology. Several histologic and clinical variants have been distinguished, the most frequent being common blue nevus, cellular blue nevus, and combined blue nevus. Although melanocytic nevi with a satellite lesion are usually suggestive of locally advanced malignant melanoma, very few cases of blue nevi with satellite lesions have been reported. The diagnosis of common or cellular blue nevi is generally straightforward; however, the presence of structures such as irregular edges or satellitosis are highly suggestive for malignancy, and differential diagnoses such as locally advanced malignant melanoma and malignant blue nevus should be considered. Recurrent blue nevi can display atypical features not seen in the primary lesion, such as pleomorphism and mitotic activity. They usually tend to follow a benign course; however, in some cases, recurrence may indicate malignant transformation. We here report the unique case of a 64-year-old woman with a recurrent cellular blue nevus accompanied by satellite lesions. Such a biological behavior resulting in a clinical presentation as a melanoma-like lesion is a rarity in blue nevus and has not been described before.

Blue nevus with satellitosis: case report and literature review

Blue nevus is a benign melanocytic lesion, typically asymptomatic and of unknown etiology. Many histological subtypes are recognized, the most commons being: common blue nevus, cellular blue nevus, and combined blue nevus. New rare variants have been described in the literature, with emphasis on eruptive blue nevus, plaque, agminate, linear, with satellitosis, disseminated, familial and targetoid. The diagnosis of blue nevus usually presents no difficulties, however, the presence of structures such as irregular edges or satellitosis, are highly suggestive of malignancy, and the differential diagnosis with malignant blue nevus and melanoma with peripheral spread should be considered. We report a case of blue nevus with satellitosis in a 15-year-old female patient.

Blue nevus-like and blue nevus-associated melanoma: a comprehensive review of the literature

BACKGROUND

Malignant blue nevus, blue nevus-associated melanoma and blue nevus-like melanoma are all terms used to describe malignant melanomas arising from, in association with, or resembling blue nevi. This review is aimed at summarizing the available literature to reduce the confusion surrounding this rare malignancy, and aid the surgeon in choosing further diagnostic or therapeutic measures.

METHODS

We conducted a search of Medline, Embase, Science Direct, Scopus and the Cochrane Library for all full text articles published in English that reported on a malignant melanoma arising from, in association with, or resembling a blue nevus.

RESULTS

We identified 91 cases that fit the criteria above. The mean age at diagnosis was 45 years, with a slight male predominance (males: 48; females: 43). Metastatic cases were reported in 55% (n = 50), of which 16 were metastatic at the time of diagnosis, 16 developed metastases within the first year and 18 within 5 years of initial diagnosis. The mean Breslow thickness was 6.8 mm at the time of diagnosis (n = 39).

CONCLUSIONS

The histological criteria for diagnosing this malignancy are very poorly defined, and may contribute to the substantial confusion surrounding the terminology. There is no consensus on which prognostic indicators predictive of outcome in 'conventional' malignant melanoma are applicable to blue nevus-like melanoma/blue nevus-associated melanoma. However, two larger case series have demonstrated a significant association between Breslow thickness (or largest tumour dimension when non-epidermal) and recurrence-free survival, as well as rate of local recurrence, but larger studies are needed to confirm this.

Blue nevus with a dermoscopic appearance of peripheral streaks with branches

Blue nevi are dermal dendritic melanocytic proliferations presenting as papules, nodules or plaques of blue, blue-gray or blue-brown color. Dermoscopic appearance commonly shows global patterns as homogeneous mono/dichromatic pigmentation and multichromatic pigmentation. Here, we report the case of a blue nevus with the dermoscopic feature of peripheral streaks with branches. With histopathologic deep sections, we confirmed that dermal dendritic melanocytes were distributed in the direction of the streaks. We emphasize that streaks are a rare but important sign of blue nevi.