The vascularity of primary cutaneous melanoma

Article Abstract:

An important difference between tumor cells and normal cells is in the pattern of cell growth. Tumor cells grow faster than normal cells, and they grow on top of each other and form a solid mass. Tumors get their nutrients and energy from the blood, and need a constant supply to continue to grow. They accomplish this by growing around blood vessels and causing small vessels to form inside the tumor. It has been suggested that the rate at which a tumor grows and the prognosis are related to the number of blood vessels inside the tumor (the vascularity of the tumor). In a recent study, the number of blood vessels located in skin tumors were evaluated. The tumors with the most blood vessels were the most aggressive, those with fewer blood vessels were less aggressive. Based on these findings, it has been suggested that the severity and prognosis may be determined based on the number of blood vessels in the tumor. To investigate this further, 64 skin tumors (primary cutaneous melanomas) were studied. The thickness and the number of blood vessels were measured in each tumor. In general, the thicker tumors contained more blood vessels than the thinner tumors, indicating that the thickness of the tumor may be related to number of blood vessels in the tumor. It is suggested that tumors with fewer blood vessels probably have a more favorable prognosis. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Prognosis, Growth, Tumors, Skin tumors, Tumor blood vessels

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Epstein-Barr virus: an aetiological factor in cutaneous lymphoproliferative disorders?

Article Abstract:

Lymphomatoid papulosis, mycosis fungoides, and Hodgkin's disease are lymphoproliferative disorders, in which lymphocytes, cells of the immune system, proliferate or divide abnormally. Similarities between the cells involved in these diseases have led to the hypothesis that they may be caused by similar mechanisms. There is increasing evidence that Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is involved in the development of Hodgkin's disease. Evidence also exists that EBV is involved in lymphomatoid papulosis and mycosis fungoides. EBV has been found in epithelial (surface tissue) cells. The persistence of EBV in these cells may lead to the development of lymphomas or carcinomas associated with the skin. Current studies have also suggested that EBV is associated with the development of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL). Other studies have shown the association between the presence of HTLV (human T-lymphotropic virus) and CTCL. However, in majority of the cases of CTCL, HTLV has not been found to be associated with the disease. Therefore, it is felt that EBV may be involved in the common mechanism involved in the development of lymphomatoid papulosis, mycosis fungoides, and Hodgkin's disease and may be involved in CTCL, as well. Further research is needed to test this hypothesis. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Editorial, Causes of, Lymphoproliferative disorders, Immunoproliferative disorders, Epstein-Barr virus, Epstein-Barr virus diseases, Mycosis fungoides

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Natural killer cells in cutaneous malignant melanoma

Article Abstract:

The host inflammatory response, in cases of cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM), was studied using immunocytochemical techniques. The characteristic phenomenon of tumor regression is an unusual feature of CMM. A series of fresh, surgically excised specimens of CMM and two other lesions, lentigo maligna and intradermal nevi, were studied. Antibodies against the following cluster of differentiation (CD) antigens were used: CD-3, CD-4, CD-8 (T-cell markers), CD-11b, CD-14 (macrophage marker), CD-16 (antigen expressed by natural killer cells and granulocytes), and CD-25. A better understanding of the relationship of the natural killer (NK) cells with the CMM cells was the objective of these studies. A number of cell populations with morphological and immunophenotypic characteristics correlating with NK cells were demonstrated, and were associated with 10 of the 16 primary CMM lesions studied. These cells were absent from the other benign lesions examined. The relationship between NK cells and CMM cells may provide additional information for assessing treatment modalities for melanomas. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Development and progression, Inflammation, Killer cells

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