Spitz melanocytoma vs melanoma: a case involving the use of molecular testing

Abstract

This case is of a melanocytic lesion that was eventually classified as a spitzoid melanoma, after molecular testing. The differential diagnosis was between a Spitz melanocytoma (Atypical Spitz tumour) and a spitzoid melanoma. This is a subjective and ambiguous area of pathology, where the use of molecular testing can provide useful diagnostic information. In this case, a BRAF V600E mutation, and lack of kinase fusions, led to the diagnosis of a spitzoid melanoma, rather than a true member of the Spitz family.