mart-1-antigen and Carcinoma--Basal-Cell

Topics: Biomarkers, Tumor; Carcinoma, Basal Cell; Dermis; Dermoscopy; Female; Humans; MART-1 Antigen; Middle Aged; Neoplasms, Multiple Primary; Nevus, Pigmented; Nose Neoplasms; Skin Neoplasms

Studies on the precise cause of increased melanization in pigmented basal cell carcinomas (BCC) are limited. We aimed to determine whether the cause of melanization is from increased number of melanocytes or increased melanin pigment, and if there is a difference in the number of melanocytes on different sun-exposed locations.. A retrospective review of 45 skin biopsies from January 2011 to February 2011 was performed; 30 were diagnosed as pigmented BCC and 15 as non-pigmented BCC. Immunohistochemistry for MART-1 (melanoma-associated antigen recognized by T-cell 1)/Melan-A (clone M2-7610 + M2-9E3; Leica Microsystems Inc. Buffalo Grove, IL, USA) from Biocare Medical (Concord, CA, USA) was performed on all biopsies. Associations between histopathologic features, number of melanocytes, location, and specific diagnoses were analyzed by Mann-Whitney U test.. The mean melanocyte count per high powered field in pigmented BCCs from sun-exposed skin was 101.9 and from intermittently sun-exposed skin was 122.5, as compared to the controls (nodular non-pigmented BCC) of 27.4 (p = 0.002) and 34.9 (p = 0.002), respectively.. Pigmented BCCs have a higher mean melanocyte count as compared to non-pigmented BCCs irrespective of location. Therefore, the pigment is not only due to increased melanin, but also due to increased melanocytes.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Biomarkers, Tumor; Carcinoma, Basal Cell; Case-Control Studies; Female; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Male; MART-1 Antigen; Melanins; Melanocytes; Middle Aged; Retrospective Studies; Skin Neoplasms

The use of melanoma-associated antigen recognized by T cells (MART-1) immunostain has been proposed as a useful adjunct to overcome the inherent difficulties in the use of frozen sections during Mohs surgery for the treatment of melanoma, but no studies have compared MART-1 frozen sections with MART-1 permanent sections. Current MART-1 1-hour protocols add significant time to the procedure.. To determine whether there is a significant difference between frozen and permanent MART-1 immunostained sections using a rapid 19-minute protocol.. Frozen and permanent sections stained with MART-1 were made from dog-ears excised during 25 reconstructions. A rapid 19-minute protocol was used to stain the frozen tissue. The sections were examined blinded, and statistical analysis was performed to analyze the data.. No significant difference was found in number of keratinocytes, nuclear diameter of keratinocytes, number of melanocytes, melanocytic nuclear diameter, confluence, pagetoid spread, melanocytic nesting, or atypical melanocytes.. The 19-minute protocol is a rapid and effective MART-1 immunostain. Frozen sections stained with MART-1 provide information equivalent to that obtained from MART-1 stained permanent sections. Mohs surgeons using MART-1 can feel confident that they have the same information as they would have obtained using permanent sections using the slow Mohs method.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Animals; Antigens, Neoplasm; Carcinoma, Basal Cell; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell; Dogs; Female; Frozen Sections; Humans; Hutchinson's Melanotic Freckle; Immunohistochemistry; Keratinocytes; Male; MART-1 Antigen; Melanocytes; Melanoma; Middle Aged; Mohs Surgery; Neoplasm Proteins; Skin; Skin Neoplasms