Vaginal melanoma

Vaginal melanomas account for less than 0.3% of all melanomas and less than 3% of malignant tumours of the vagina. Melanoma is more common on the vulva. The frequency of immunostaining with various markers appears to be similar to that in cutaneous melanomas.

Immunohistochemistry

 

Epithelioid

Spindle

Mixed

Overall

 

S-100

14/15

3/3

8/8

25/26

Usually stained >50% of cells. The only positive marker in three cases

HMB-45

14/15

1/3

6/8

21/26

Extent of staining very variable

Melan-A

14/15

1/3

6/8

21/26

 

Tyrosinase

15/15

1/3

5/8

21/26

 

Mitf

15/15

0/3

5/8

20/26

 
 

Prognosis

The five year survival for vaginal melanoma is only 10%, compared with 88% for cutaneous melanomas.

References

Gupta, D., A. Malpica, et al. (2002). "Vaginal melanoma: a clinicopathologic and immunohistochemical study of 26 cases." Am J Surg Pathol 26(11): 1450-7.

This page last revised 30.11.2002.

©SMUHT/PW Bishop