Nada Shaker, Zaibo Li, Judith Bamporiki, Omar P Sangueza, Abdul Abid
Balloon cell melanoma (BCM) is an exceptionally uncommon histological variant, making up <1% of all malignant melanomas. Diagnosing balloon cell melanoma on cytological specimens can be challenging due to its scarcity and its similarity to other medical conditions. A comprehensive clinical assessment and histological analysis, coupled with immunohistochemical staining, play a crucial role in distinguishing balloon cell melanoma from various benign and malignant skin conditions. The differential diagnoses encompass spitz nevus, balloon cell nevus, clear cell sarcoma of tendons and aponeuroses (melanoma of soft tissues), metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma, sebaceous carcinoma, and benign adnexal tumours like clear cell hidradenoma...
January 9, 2024: Cytopathology: Official Journal of the British Society for Clinical Cytology