Eruptive melanocytic nevi with malignant transformations and the connection to BRAF and p16 mutations

Abstract

Eruptive melanocytic nevi (EMN) is a rare phenomenon with an unclear pathogenesis. Mutation on a molecular basis has been proposed, but insufficient data are available to confirm this hypothesis. Theoretically, the possibility of malignant transformation is high, but no previous definite cases had been reported. Herein, we report the first case of a patient with EMN in whom hypopharyngeal low-grade melanocytic malignancies were detected using a fibrolaryngoscope. BRAF activation and p16 mutations were discovered through real-time polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemical staining on EMN tissue samples, respectively. The significance of these findings has yet to be determined.

Keywords

• BRAF V600E
• eruptive melanocytic nevi
• melanocytic malignancy
• melanocytic tumor of uncertain malignant potential
• p16