Desmoplastic melanoma of the skin: current aspects of morphological and immunohistochemical diagnosis

To study the clinical, morphological, and immunohistochemical characteristics of desmoplastic melanoma and the use of modern diagnostic technologies to refine the classification criteria for this rare subtype of malignant neoplasms. The study included 5 patients (4 men and 1 woman, median age 62.5 years) diagnosed with malignant neoplasms of the skin on the back (3 cases) and the buccal area of the face (2 cases). Morphological and immunohistochemical studies were performed using markers S100 and Melan-A to confirm the diagnosis. Modern technologies were applied to improve diagnostic accuracy. Morphological analysis revealed the characteristic dense collagenized stroma and low cellular density of desmoplastic melanoma tumors. Immunohistochemical analysis confirmed the melanocytic origin of the tumors. The use of modern diagnostic methods allows us to determine diagnostic and classification criteria for desmoplastic melanoma. A comprehensive approach, including morphological and immunohistochemical methods with markers S100 and Melan-A, enhances diagnostic accuracy and refines the classification criteria for this disease.