Disorders of Pigmentation and Melanocytes Flashcards
Most common pigmented lesion of childhood?
Freckle
When does a Freckle arise?
AFTER sun exposure
Can Freckles fade or darken, if so, when?
Yes, with season changes
What spots are seen with Neurofibromatosis?
Cafe au lait spots
Cafe au lait spots are seen with what condition?
Neurofibromatosis
When do Cafe au lait spots arise?
INDEPENDENT of sun exposure
How do Cafe au lait spots compare to Freckles?
- Larger
- Contain aggregated melanosomes (macromelanosomes) in the cytoplasm of melanocytes
- Do not correlate with sun exposure
Lentigo
Benign localized hyperplasia of melanocytes
Benign localized hyperplasia of melanocytes
Lentigo
When is Lentigo initiated?
Childhood but occurs at all ages
How does Lentigo react when exposed to light?
(hyperplasia of melanocytes)
= Does NOT darken
How does Lentigo look on histology?
Linear melanocytic hyperplasia
Histologically, Lentigo is restricted to?
To cell layer immediately ABOVE basement membrane
What is restricted to the cell layer immediately ABOVE the basement membrane?
Lentigo
Linear melanocyte hyperplasia?
Lentigo
- Benign
A Melanocytic Nevus is a?
Mole
Mole
Melanocytic Nevus
Melanocytic Nevi are acquired by mutations in components of what signaling pathways?
RAS and BRAF
Melanocytic Nevi have activating mutations in RAS and BRAF that are only active for a limited time. What causes permanent growth arrest?
P16/INK4a cause permanent growth arrest
How do Melanocytic Nevi usually look?
Usually small <6mm, well defined borders and one color
Junctional Nevi
Nest at dermoepidermal junction
Type of Nevi that nest at dermoepidermal junction
Junctional Nevi