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Results for “Melanosis”

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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1996

Neurocutaneous melanosis: clinical features of large congenital melanocytic nevi in patients with manifest central nervous system melanosis.

BACKGROUND: Patients with a large congenital melanocytic nevus (LCMN) may have associated leptomeningeal melanocytosis with or without central nervous system (CNS) melanomas. These patients are considered to have neurocutaneous melanosis, a disorder that, when symptomatic or otherwise manifest neurologically, carries a poor prognosis even in the absence of malignancy. OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to identify typical clinical features in patients who have manifest CNS melanosis in association with LCMN. METHODS: The records of 117 patients with LCMN in the New York University Registry of LCMN and the reports of 172 cases of LCMN in the world literature were included for features that might signal a high risk for the development of manifest CNS involvement. RESULTS: Of the 289 patients with LCMN, 33 had manifest CNS melanosis. In all 33 in whom symptomatic neurocutaneous melanosis was diagnosed, the LCMNs were present in a posterior axial location on the head, neck, back, and/or buttocks. "Satellite" nevi were known to be present in 31 of the 33 patients. CONCLUSION: Patients with LCMN in a posterior axial location, especially when associated with "satellite" melanocytic nevi, are at greater risk for the development of manifest neurocutaneous melanosis than patients with LCMN limited to the extremities or those who are lacking satellite nevi.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Melanosis coli--histochemical and immunohistochemical comparison of the pigments of melanosis coli and Dubin-Johnson syndrome.

We compared the pigment of melanosis coli with the pigment of Dubin-Johnson syndrome, melanin, and lipofuscin. The pigment of melanosis coli appeared similar to lipofuscin in that it stained positively with periodic acid-Schiff, oil red-0 and Victoria blue stains and revealed negative reactions to the immunohistochemical stains for S-100 protein and neuron specific enolase, but had similarity to melanin as shown by the positive reaction to Fontana-Masson stain and negative autofluorescence. The pigment of Dubin-Johnson syndrome showed the same histochemical and immunohistochemical characteristics as that of melanosis coli. The results indicate that the pigments of melanosis coli and Dubin-Johnson syndrome are identical and are variants of lipofuscin.

Colonic Diseases↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Friction melanosis, friction amyloidosis, macular amyloidosis, towel melanosis: many names for the same clinical entity.

Macular or friction amyloidosis is a cutaneous entity characterized by a brownish pigmentation distributed on the skin over bony regions of the trunk and limbs after the use, for many years, of a nylon towel or scrub brush to clean the skin. Electron microscopy is necessary for the diagnosis of this dermatosis and reveals deposits of amyloid in the papillary dermis. This condition is relatively unknown in Western countries. In this report, we describe 24 Italian patients affected by friction amyloidosis which was caused by the use of cotton towels, horse-hair gloves or artificial and rough sponges to clean their skin.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Melanosis coli--a harmless pigmentation or a precancerous condition?

UNLABELLED: Melanosis coli has long been considered as a harmless pigmentation of the colorectum associated with the use of laxatives containing anthraquinone. Recent experimental and clinical studies, however, have provided some evidence of a possible association between melanosis coli/laxative use and colorectal cancer. METHODS: In 2.229 consecutive patients we retrospectively analyzed the association of melanosis coli and laxative use with colorectal neoplasia. All the patients had undergone total colonoscopy, and the colorectal neoplasias had been examined histopathologically in accordance with the WHO classification. Information concerning laxative use, bowel habits and family history of colorectal cancer was obtained from the medical records. The statistical analysis was done using the Mantel-Haenszel-test for linear association. RESULTS: The presence of colorectal cancer was not associated with melanosis coli or laxative use. However, colorectal adenomas were found significantly more frequently in patients with melanosis coli than in those without melanosis (p = 0.0002). But adenomas associated with melanosis coli were significantly smaller than those not associated with melanosis (p < 0.0001), and were located predominantly in the proximal colon (p = 0.0002). In the patients with melanosis coli the relative risk was significantly higher for tubular (1.80; 95% CI: 1.26-2.56) and tubulovillous adenomas (2.03; 95% CI: 1.09-3.76), but not for villous adenomas. No significant differences were found in the grade of dysplasia of adenomas in patients with, and those without, melanosis coli. CONCLUSION: There appears to be no association between colorectal cancer and melanosis coli or laxative use. Colorectal adenomas are more frequently found in patients with melanosis coli. Colorectal adenomas do not contain the melanin-like pigmentation. The association of adenomas with melanosis coli can be explained by the ease of detection of even tiny polyps as white spots within a dark-colored colonic mucosa.

Adenoma↗
PubMed2006

Melanosis and squamous cell neoplasms of the upper aerodigestive tract in Japanese alcoholic men.

Melanosis is frequently observed in the upper aerodigestive tract of Japanese alcoholic men, and the prevalences of squamous cell dysplasia and SCC in the upper aerodigestive tract of Japanese alcoholic men are high. This study evaluated associations between melanosis and both neoplasms of the upper aerodigestive tract and factors contributing to the development of melanosis in Japanese alcoholic men. Endoscopic screening of 643 Japanese alcoholic men (aged 50-79 years) was combined with oropharyngolaryngeal inspection and esophageal iodine staining, and ALDH2 genotyping was carried out in 425 of them. Melanosis was frequently (20.8%) observed in the upper aerodigestive tract. The palate was the most common site of melanosis (11.2%), followed by the pharynx (9.5%), and by the esophagus (7.0%). The incidence of melanosis was higher in those with esophageal dysplasia (31/126, 24.6%), esophageal SCC (19/42, 45.2%), and oropharyngolaryngeal SCC (8/14, 54.1%) than in cancer- and dysplasia-free controls (69/437, 15.8%). The presence of melanosis was associated with a higher risk of esophageal dysplasia, esophageal SCC, and oropharyngolaryngeal SCC (OR 1.69, 4.03, and 6.61, respectively). Multivariate analysis showed that older age, heavier smoking, and heterozygosity for inactive ALDH2 were positively associated with the presence of melanosis. The presence of melanosis indicates a high risk for neoplasms in the upper aerodigestive tract of Japanese alcoholic men. Melanosis and neoplasms have the same causes, including older age, heavy smoking, and high acetaldehyde exposure.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

Potentially life-threatening primary acquired melanosis.

Primary acquired melanosis is an acquired conjunctival pigmentation seen in Caucasians. It presents as a diffuse, patchy, unilateral area of pigmentation that can be flat or nodular. Other melanotic lesions such as ocular melanosis, argyrosis, congenital conjunctival melanosis can be confused with primary acquired melanosis. Diagnosis and management of primary acquired melanosis is critical since it is potential life-threatening. A 51-year-old while male presented with unilateral, diffuse, patchy pigmentation first noted 10 years prior. Slit lamp examination revealed a 4 mm x2 mm area of temporal bulbar conjunctival pigmentation extending to the limbus in the right eye. A biopsy was performed and pathologic examination disclosed primary acquired melanosis with atypia. Topical mitomycin-C therapy was initiated. Because of the large size and diffuse nature of the pigmentation, mitomycin-C was preferred since surgical excision would be destructive and has related risks of scarring, goblet cell loss, and associated side effects such as dry eye and ulceration. Two months, following treatment with mitomycin-C, significant clinical improvement was observed. A careful patient history is key in diagnosis primary acquired melanosis including a detailed history including onset, duration, stability, and progression of the pigmentation. All cases of primary acquired melanosis should be referred for biopsy. If atypia is found, traditional treatment includes surgical removal or cryotherapy. However, if the area is large side effects can occur. Mitomycin-C eliminates these potential side effects and can be used to successfully treat primary acquired melanosis.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2005

Esophageal melanosis, an endoscopic finding associated with squamous cell neoplasms of the upper aerodigestive tract, and inactive aldehyde dehydrogenase-2 in alcoholic Japanese men.

BACKGROUND: Esophageal melanosis is often observed in alcoholic Japanese men, in whom the prevalence of squamous cell dysplasia and carcinoma (SCC) in the upper aerodigestive tract are high. This study evaluated the associations of esophageal melanosis with these neoplasms, and the factors contributing to the development of esophageal melanosis in this population. METHODS: Endoscopic screening was combined with esophageal iodine staining in 1535 alcoholic Japanese men (aged 40-79 years), of whom 1007 underwent aldehyde dehydrogenase-2 (ALDH2) genotyping. RESULTS: Fifty patients (3.3%) were diagnosed with esophageal melanosis, which had a higher incidence in those with noncancerous distinct iodine-unstained lesions (DIULs; 16/268; 6.0%), esophageal SCC (9/66; 13.6%), and oropharyngolaryngeal SCC (4/19; 21.1%) than in cancer- and DIUL-free controls (24/1182; 2.0%). The presence of esophageal melanosis was associated with higher risks for noncancerous DIULs, esophageal SCC, and oropharyngolaryngeal SCC (odds ratios, 2.81, 6.54, and 14.77, respectively). Men with the inactive ALDH2*1/2*2 genotype had a higher risk for esophageal melanosis (2.66-fold), as well as for DIULs and SCCs. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of esophageal melanosis in alcoholic Japanese men could indicate a high risk for DIULs and SCCs in the upper aerodigestive tract. The high incidence of esophageal melanosis may be partially linked to high acetaldehyde exposure, a consequence of drinking alcohol in persons with inactive ALDH2.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Laryngeal melanosis: report of four cases and literature review.

OBJECTIVE: Laryngeal melanosis is a rare condition defined by the presence of melanocytes within the laryngeal epithelial lining. Our aims were (1) to review our cases together with those in the literature, and (2) to determine whether melanocyte incidence is increased with exposure to irritant stimuli such as tobacco. METHODS: A retrospective study of all cases diagnosed with laryngeal melanosis in our hospital from January 1, 1990, to December 31, 1996, was accomplished. To determine the melanocyte incidence in the normal larynx as well as the influence of tobacco in development of laryngeal melanosis, 16 age-matched controls, 8 of whom were smokers and 8 of whom were not, were chosen, and a histochemical and immunohistochemical study was performed. The following antibodies were used: S-100 protein, CD1a, and HMB-45. A comparative study of the melanocyte incidence between patients with laryngeal melanosis and the controls was carried out. Also, a comparative study between smoking and nonsmoking patients was performed. RESULTS: Laryngeal melanosis was diagnosed in 4 patients at our hospital during this period of time. In the comparative study, the number of melanocytes in the 4 patients with laryngeal melanosis was higher than in the 8 smoking (p < 0.01, Mann-Whitney U test) and 8 nonsmoking (p < 0.01) controls, and there was a trend toward a higher number of melanocytes in the 8 smoking patients than in the 8 nonsmoking (p = 0.064) controls. CONCLUSIONS: Laryngeal melanosis was more frequent in smoking men older than 50 years. Our observations underline the association of LM with larynx carcinoma and its relation to a stimulus such as tobacco. In fact, we have found activated melanocytes in our cases of laryngeal melanosis. They were identified by immunoreactivity for HMB-45.

Aged↗
PubMed1991

Primary acquired melanosis of the conjunctiva is melanoma in situ.

This essay places the concept of "primary acquired melanosis" of the conjunctiva in historical perspective and shows that it and its analogs, namely, lentigo-melanosis (Hutchinson), melanotic freckle (Hutchinson), melanose circonscrite precancereuse (Dubrueilh), melanotische precancerose (Miescher), lentigo maligna (Clark), precancerous melanosis (Reese), benign, precancerous, and cancerous melanosis (Zimmerman), atypical melanocytic hyperplasia (Silver et al.), and benign acquired melanosis (Zimmerman), are synonyms for melanoma in situ. The issue is not merely semantic or philosophical; it is urgently practical. If a clinician takes literally the meaning of a lesion designated "benign melanosis" and considers it to be benign, rather than the malignant melanoma that it actually is, a patient who bears that flat pigmented lesion may one day die of metastasis from an elevated sequella of it. The same is true of "primary acquired melanosis," which is not simply a condition of blackening by melanin, but a flat melanoma that, if not removed completely, may give rise one day to metastases that cause death. To avoid such misconstructions, we advocate naming melanomas in all organs "melanoma" and those that are confined to epithelial structures "melanoma in situ." Euphemisms like lentigo maligna and primary acquired melanosis are evasions of the diagnosis of melanoma, and use of them may be harmful. For that reason, they should be eschewed.

Conjunctival Neoplasms↗