Malignant melanoma and vitiligo-like leukoderma: an electron microscopic study.

PubMed ID: 6643768

Author(s): Koh HK, Sober AJ, Nakagawa H, Albert DM, Mihm MC, Fitzpatrick TB. Malignant melanoma and vitiligo-like leukoderma: an electron microscopic study. J Am Acad Dermatol. 1983 Nov;9(5):696-708. PMID 6643768

Journal: Journal Of The American Academy Of Dermatology, Volume 9, Issue 5, Nov 1983

We report clinical and ultrastructural results in eight patients with melanoma and widespread leukoderma. Leukoderma appears to be a good prognostic sign. Although some features of this entity are suggestive of vitiligo, the patients’ age, the distribution and appearance of body lesions, and ultrastructural results show a more varied clinical and ultrastructural spectrum. The high frequency of ocular pigmentary disturbances and uveitis in this patient population is noteworthy and deserves further study. We would recommend routine use of Wood’s light examination in following patients with thick stage I, stage II, or stage III melanoma to facilitate detection of this phenomenon.