Malignant Melanoma Prof. Camillo O. Di Cicco, M.D. http://myprofile.cos.com/camdic

Podcast Description

A case of a 47 year-old woman present a wide abdominal zone with vitiligo like hypopigmentation is reported.
In 1977 she underwent, in the same site, melanoma (III Clarke's level) extirpation and the local immunotherapy by DNCB ( dinitrochloro benzene ).
Moshe Inbar et Al. ( Melanoma Research 1996/6/457-459 ) refer a case of melanoma, treated by DNCB in 1973, showing, the new skin, ower the back, characterized by vitiligo like hypopigmentation and lack of hair.
The association vitiligo-melanoma is known from several years.
S.Roul et Al. ( Nouv. Dermatol. 1996/15/574 - 578 ) analysed II cases coming to the conclusion that, althought the physiopathologic mechanism is unknown, it surely represent an immune reaction of the organism.
Ideed an increasing number of antibodies against antigens of melanocytes and of melanoma malignant cells was observed (antigens 40-45 Kd / 79-90 Kd), and this is related to the extension of hypopigmented skin ( Cui and Bystrin, 1995 ).
Nevertheless, in rat with melanoma, exhibition of antibody of vitiligo patient. shown to prevent the development of lung metastates ( Fishman et Al. Cancer 1993/72/2365 - 2370 ).
Therefore, differently of vitiligo, vitiligo like hypopigmentation observed after local immunotherapy, in course of melanoma, can be an inducted local immunoreaction capable to reduce local recidivism. (Abstract)