A case of metastatic balloon cell malignant melanoma (BCMM) is presented. The balloon melanoma cells (BMC) were absent in the shave biopsy of the primary lesion and present as a minor component in the wide and deep excision. A subsequent right neck lymph node metastasis showed complete replacement of the lymph node by large, foamy cells. Though the tumor was amelanocytic and Fontana-Masson stain failed to reveal melanin, it stained positively for S-100, HMB-45, and Melan-A. Ultrastructurally, the foamy cells were characterized by cytoplasmic vacuolization and a lack of melanosomes. The differential diagnosis of metastatic balloon cell malignant melanoma is broad, and clinicopathologic correlation may play a critical role in achieving the correct diagnosis.
CITATION STYLE
Lee, L., Zhou, F., Simms, A., Wieczorek, R., Fang, Y., Subietas-Mayol, A., … Lee, P. (2011). Metastatic balloon cell malignant melanoma: A case report and literature review. International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Pathology, 4(3), 315–321.
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