Esophageal melanocytosis morphologic features and review of the literature

Endoscopic or macroscopic esophageal melanocytosis is a benign clinicopathologic entity characterized by melanocytic proliferation in esophageal squamous epithelium and melanin deposition in the mucosa. Little is known about the etiology and natural course of this condition, although it has been sug...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inArchives of pathology & laboratory medicine (1976) Vol. 130; no. 4; pp. 552 - 557
Main Authors Chang, Fuju, Deere, Harriet
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States College of American Pathologists 01.04.2006
Subjects
Diagnosis, Differential
Esophageal Diseases - metabolism
Esophageal Diseases - pathology
Esophagus - metabolism
Esophagus - pathology
Humans
Literature reviews
Melanins - metabolism
Melanocytes - metabolism
Melanocytes - pathology
Melanoma - diagnosis
Melanosis - metabolism
Melanosis - pathology
Nevus, Pigmented - diagnosis
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Summary:Endoscopic or macroscopic esophageal melanocytosis is a benign clinicopathologic entity characterized by melanocytic proliferation in esophageal squamous epithelium and melanin deposition in the mucosa. Little is known about the etiology and natural course of this condition, although it has been suggested to be a precursor of primary esophageal melanoma by some authors. Following a search of the bibliographic databases (PubMed and Medline) regarding esophageal melanocytosis and melanosis, thirty-four cases of isolated esophageal melanocytosis (including one unpublished case from us) were found. The histopathologic features of esophageal melanocytosis are reviewed and its differential diagnosis with other pigmented esophageal lesions is discussed.
Bibliography:ObjectType-Article-2
SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1
ObjectType-Feature-3
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ObjectType-Review-1
ISSN:0003-9985
1543-2165
DOI:10.5858/2006-130-552-emmfar