cow23

CASE OF THE WHENEVER #23

This polypoid tumor from the left temple of a 14 year old male was initially removed by a shave type ablation. The specimen measured 10 mm. in diameter and 5 mm. in height.

The high power views illustrate the polymorphism of atypical melanocyte or nevus cell populations within this one lesion. Mitoses were easy to find. I use the terms epithelioid cell and spindle cell in the cytologic sense.

This is a 1x power image made by feeding the glass slide into a 35 mm. slide scanner using a homemade carrier. It is not very sharp, but it does show the protuberant architecture of the tumor and the nodular subunits..

Composite scan power view of the right side of the specimen illustrating nodular aggregates of cells within the polypoid tumor. Many of these aggregates are composed of round cells (cytologically epithelioid cells).
The plane of the normal skin is seen in the lower right side of this picture.

Composite scan power view of the left side of the lesion demonstrating a large, nodular aggregate of cells. This area is inflamed, and many of the cells are spindle shaped.

High power view illustrating an aggregate of lymphocytoid melanocytes or nevus cells in the right side of the picture. Contrast these with the smaller clusters of larger epithelioid cells to the left of these.

High power view of clusters of epithelioid cells of intermediate size.

High power view from a cluster of large, heavily melanized, epithelioid cells.

High power view of spindle cells. There was only a suggestion of fascicle formation.

Another high power view.

Medium power view of a focus of severe dysplasia or atypical intraepidermal melanocytic hyperplasia. Foci such as this were uncommon in this lesion. Migration of atypical melanocytes into the upper levels of the epidermis was not demonstrated.

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	Composite scan power view of the right side of the specimen illustrating nodular aggregates of cells within the polypoid tumor. Many of these aggregates are composed of round cells (cytologically epithelioid cells). The plane of the normal skin is seen in the lower right side of this picture.
	Composite scan power view of the left side of the lesion demonstrating a large, nodular aggregate of cells. This area is inflamed, and many of the cells are spindle shaped.
	High power view illustrating an aggregate of lymphocytoid melanocytes or nevus cells in the right side of the picture. Contrast these with the smaller clusters of larger epithelioid cells to the left of these.
	High power view of clusters of epithelioid cells of intermediate size.
	High power view from a cluster of large, heavily melanized, epithelioid cells.
	High power view of spindle cells. There was only a suggestion of fascicle formation.
	Another high power view.
	Medium power view of a focus of severe dysplasia or atypical intraepidermal melanocytic hyperplasia. Foci such as this were uncommon in this lesion. Migration of atypical melanocytes into the upper levels of the epidermis was not demonstrated.