Displacement of Dermal Solar Elastosis in Malignant Melanoma

Abstract

Background: Sun exposure plays an important role in the pathogenesis of melanoma. Melanocytic lesions occur in sun‐exposed skin and protected skin. Here we study the histologic interaction of benign and malignant melanocytic lesions and solar elastosis (SE). Design: We selected 15 invasive malignant melanomas (MM) and 6 benign melanocytic nevi (MN) occurring in sun exposed areas in patients with significant SE. We measured SE thickness in perilesional skin and SE displacement in lesional skin. Results: SE thickness was 0.64 +/− 0.11 mm in MM, and 0.38 +/− 0.06 in MN (P < 0.05). SE displacement was 1.02 + /−0.85 mm in MM, and 0.44 +/− 0.30 in MN (P < 0.05). Tumor cells and host response were responsible for displacement of SE in MM. Thickness of displaced SE was decreased in 6 MM and 1 MN (attenuation), unchanged in 7 MM and 4 MN and increased in 2 MM and 1 MN. Conclusion: Displacement of SE may be helpful in the diagnosis of MM. In MM the newly formed tumor and associated host response appear to push down the preexisting solar elastosis. Conversely, long standing benign MN in sun exposed areas appear to coexist with the SE without significant displacement.