Balloon Cell Melanoma.
- Author:
Byong Han SONG
1
;
Eun Byul CHO
;
Eun Joo PARK
;
In Ho KWON
;
Kwang Ho KIM
;
Kwang Joong KIM
Author Information
- Publication Type:Case Report
- Keywords: Balloon cell melanoma; Ear
- MeSH: Aged, 80 and over; Cytoplasm; Ear; Female; Hemorrhage; Humans; Melanins; Melanoma; S100 Proteins; Skin
- From:Korean Journal of Dermatology 2012;50(3):252-254
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
- Abstract: Balloon cell melanoma, an uncommon histopathological variant of malignant melanoma, was first described by Gardner and Vazquez in 1970. This condition is histopathologically characterized by the presence of balloon cells with varying sizes and atypical nuclei. An 84-year-old woman presented with a solitary, dome-shaped, walnut-sized, brownish nodule on the posterior aspect of the left ear with bleeding, having only detected the nodule 2 weeks prior. Histopathologically, the lobulated tumor mass revealed copious melanin pigment and many balloon cells with clear cytoplasm, atypical nuclei, and variable size. Immunohistochemically, the tumor mass showed positive reaction to S-100 protein and HMB 45 staining. We herein report a typical case of balloon cell melanoma, which developed primarily on the skin.
