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Ancillary Techniques in Diagnosing Melanocytic Lesions

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Abstract

Currently ancillary techniques such as special stains, immunohistochemistry, and electron microscopy cannot replace the routine histologic slides; however, they can help to narrow the differential as adjuncts in diagnosing melanocytic lesions as outlined in this chapter. Immunohistochemistry utilizes antigen-antibody recognition in detecting specific antigens within tissues. The sensitivity and specificity of a given antibody, its pattern of staining (nuclear, cytoplasmic, or membranous), and background artifact must be considered in its interpretation. In addition, evaluation must be done in relation to internal control. In the setting of poorly differentiated metastases, ultrastructural study is crucial in classifying the line of differentiation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA

    Mai P. Hoang MD & Martin C. Mihm Jr. MD

  2. Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit Street Warren 820, Boston, MA, 02114, USA

    Mai P. Hoang MD

  3. Department of Dermatology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA

    Martin C. Mihm Jr. MD

  4. Melanoma Program, Dana Farber Brigham and Women’s Cancer Center, 41 Louis Pasteur Avenue, Room 317B, Boston, MA, 02115, USA

    Martin C. Mihm Jr. MD

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  1. Mai P. Hoang MD
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  2. Martin C. Mihm Jr. MD
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Correspondence to Mai P. Hoang MD or Martin C. Mihm Jr. MD .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Massachusetts General Hospital, Department of Pathology Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

    Mai P. Hoang

  2. Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Deptartment of Pathology, Harvard Med School Melanoma Program in Dermatology, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

    Martin C. Mihm Jr.

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Hoang, M.P., Mihm, M.C. (2014). Ancillary Techniques in Diagnosing Melanocytic Lesions. In: Hoang, M., Mihm Jr., M. (eds) Melanocytic Lesions. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-0891-2_13

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