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February 28, 2026Precision Oncology0 citationsOpen Access

Metastatic Undifferentiated Melanoma with Ultra-High Tumor Mutational Burden and UV Mutational Signature: A Diagnostic Challenge

NLNicole LisekJVJ. L. VillanoDADerek B. Allison

Key Points

  • The aim is to discuss the diagnostic challenges and genetic characteristics of undifferentiated melanoma (UM).
  • Descriptive case report
  • Comprehensive molecular analysis using next-generation sequencing
  • Examination of histological features and immunophenotypic expression
  • The patient had an ultra-high tumor mutational burden exceeding 150 mut/Mb
  • Multiple mutations identified: NF1, TERT promoter, TP53, and PTPRD
  • The presence of a UV mutational signature indicated significant genetic alterations

Abstract

Undifferentiated melanoma (UM) is a rare and diagnostically challenging subtype of malignant melanoma that often lacks traditional histological features and immunophenotypic expression. We report the case of a 58-year-old man with a history of a previously excised melanoma in-situ (lentigo maligna type) of the scalp who later developed a painful chest wall mass. Subsequent workup revealed a high-grade malignant neoplasm with only focal weak S100P positivity while molecular analysis with next-generation sequencing (NGS) revealed an ultra-high TMB tumor mutational burden (>150 mut/Mb), NF1 mutation, TERT promoter mutation, TP53 mutations, PTPRD mutations, and a UV mutational signature (100% SBS7a), supportive of a diagnosis of UM. This case highlights the diagnostic value of comprehensive molecular testing in UM and its role in informing immunotherapy decisions.

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Cite This Study

Lisek et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/69a286da0a974eb0d3c02267https://doi.org/10.3390/precisoncol1010004
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