The utility of SOX10 in mixed type desmoplastic melanoma with lymph node metastasis of the spindle cell component: A cautionary tale of inattentional blindness

Abstract

AbstractDesmoplastic melanoma (DM), a type of spindle cell melanoma separated into pure desmoplastic melanoma (PDM) and mixed desmoplastic melanoma (MDM) subtypes, can be a diagnostic challenge and easily confused for dermal scar, especially PDM. We report a 65‐year‐old white man who received a left thumb amputation after an initial biopsy for melanoma, an unclassified type with epithelioid morphology. The amputation and sentinel lymph node specimens were significant for residual melanoma with epithelioid morphology, dermal scar, and a slightly expanded “scar‐like” capsular area in one of seven lymph nodes, which was diffusely positive for SOX10 on reflex sentinel lymph node immunohistochemical protocol. On re‐review of the amputation “scar” like area, a subsequent SOX10 stain confirmed the diagnosis of MDM in this area with epithelioid and spindle cell morphology, significantly upgrading the tumor stage. We share this case to highlight: (i) MDM, although exceptionally uncommon, can result in a pure spindle cell lymph node metastasis, (ii) to encourage increased utilization of SOX10 to assess sentinel lymph node biopsies, especially in the context of melanomas with a spindle cell component, and (iii) share an example of inattentional blindness which was fortunately identified by reflex sentinel lymph node immunohistochemical protocols.