Prognostic value of chromosomal aberrations in melanocytic lesions: study from southern part of Turkey

Abstract

Background Malignant melanoma is the seventh most common cancer with increasing incidence rates, which is more than other known cancers. For this reason accurate and early diagnosis is mandatory for the patient’s appropriate management. Design The study included 74 melanocytic lesions consisting of 17 benign nevi, 29 melanoma (18 metastatic, 11 non-metastatic), 28 gray-zone lesions (17 dysplastic compound, 2 dysplastic junctional nevi, 5 spitz nevi, 3 atypical spitz nevi, and 1 cellular blue nevi). Four-color probe set that is the product Vysis LSI RREBl/ LSI MYB/LSI CCND1/CEP 6 probes (Vysis, Abbott Global, US), which is designed to detect the copy number of the RREB1 (6p25), MYB (6q23), and CCND1 (llql3) genes was applied to all cases. Statistical relationship between chromosomal aberrations and histopathologic prognostic parameters (Breslow, tumor diameter, presence of ulcer, mitotic rate), clinical stage and survival of the melanoma group cases was evaluated. Results Mean follow-up of the gray-zone and melanoma group cases was 50.4 (3-91) months. Presence of ulcer and clinical stage were not related to any chromosomal aberration statistically. Increase of mitotic activity was statistically correlated with 6q23 amplification (p = 0,046). Tumor diameter was correlated with 11ql3 amplification, 6q23 amplification and abnormal 6p25 (p = 0,046; p = 0.035; p = 0,001, respectively). Increase of Breslow thickness was correlated with 6q23 amplification and abnormal 6p25 (p = 0.041; p = 0.040, respectively). Abnormal 6p25 and loss of 6q23 were statistically related with survival (p = 0.0001, p = 0.004). Conclusions Besides the valuable diagnostic role of FISH in melanocytic proliferations, this method may be useful for predicting the patient’s prognosis, especially abnormal 6p25 (RREB) and loss of 6q23 (MYB).