Multiple primary malignant melanoma (MPMM): Cytogenetic study

Multiple primary malignant melanoma (MPMM) is a rare condition that involves about 1-4% of patients affected by malignant melanomas. In order to contribute to a better definition of this kind of tumor we performed a cytogenetic study on three different lesions, from a female patient, classified by clinical and immunohistochemical parameters. Immunogenetic analysis was also performed on peripheral blood lymphocytes. The cytogenetic results allow us to evidence different clonal chromosomal rearrangements in two of the three lesions, confirming the policlonality of these three melanomas. The immunohistochemical results highlight the expression of the HLA-DR in the primary cell cultures showing chromosomal markers, considered by some authors as a negative prognostic factor. We are performing a clinical follow-up on the patient in order to evaluate the significance of these markers specifically with regards to the disease's evolution.