Primary Undifferentiated/Dedifferentiated Cutaneous Melanomas—A Review on Histological, Immunohistochemical, and Molecular Features with Emphasis on Prognosis and Treatment

Abstract

Diagnosing cutaneous melanoma is usually straightforward based on these malignancies’ histopathological and immunohistochemical features. Nevertheless, melanomas can imitate various other neoplasms, sometimes lacking the expression of conventional melanocytic markers and expressing non-melanocytic ones. Furthermore, divergent differentiation is more often encountered in metastatic melanomas and is still poorly described in primary cutaneous melanomas, and little is known about these patients’ prognosis and therapeutic approach. Therefore, we reviewed the literature on undifferentiated/dedifferentiated cutaneous melanomas, and we discuss the histological, immunohistochemical, and molecular profiles of undifferentiated/dedifferentiated cutaneous melanomas to understand these peculiar lesions better and improve their diagnostic algorithm. In addition to this, we also discuss how different genetic mutations may influence prognosis and become potential therapeutic targets.

Keywords

• cutaneous melanoma
• dedifferentiated melanoma
• undifferentiated melanoma
• immunohistochemistry
• genetic mutations
• systematic review