The role of reflectance confocal microscopy as an aid in the diagnosis of collision tumors.
Title | The role of reflectance confocal microscopy as an aid in the diagnosis of collision tumors. |
Publication Type | Journal Article |
Year of Publication | 2013 |
Authors | Moscarella, E., Rabinovitz H., Oliviero M. C., Brown L., Longo C., Zalaudek I., Piana S., Farnetani F., Lallas A., Argenziano G., & Pellacani G. |
Journal | Dermatology |
Volume | 227 |
Issue | 2 |
Pagination | 109-17 |
Date Published | 2013 |
ISSN | 1421-9832 |
Keywords | Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Dermoscopy, Diagnosis, Differential, Female, Follow-Up Studies, Humans, Male, Microscopy, Confocal, Middle Aged, Neoplasms, Second Primary, Reproducibility of Results, Retrospective Studies, Skin Neoplasms |
Abstract | BACKGROUND: The term 'collision tumor' refers to the association of 2 or more different neoplasms within the same lesion. The association of a benign neoplasm with a malignant neoplasm is of particular significance and warrants diagnostic accuracy.OBJECTIVE: The purpose of our study was to see if reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) was a valuable tool when dealing with collision tumors.METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated 24 histologically confirmed cases of collision tumors, which were initially assessed using dermoscopy and RCM.RESULTS: The malignancy most commonly detected in association with collision tumors was basal cell carcinoma (BCC) (n = 13), followed by melanoma (n = 5, of which 2 collided with BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma in situ (n = 4). Seborrheic keratoses were the most common benign neoplasms found in association with collision tumors (n = 18), followed by nevi (n = 7). Dermoscopy revealed the malignant component in 14 out of 20 lesions compared to RCM, which revealed a malignant component in 19 out of 20 neoplasms. There was excellent concordance between RCM and histopathology with regard to the identification of a malignant component within a tumor (kappa value >0.9).CONCLUSION: The dermatoscope and the reflectance confocal microscope, when used in conjunction, are valuable tools aiding in the diagnosis of collision tumors. |
DOI | 10.1159/000351771 |
Alternate Journal | Dermatology |
PubMed ID | 24080548 |