Source
Pathologic Anatomy Unit, Gaetano Rummo General Hospital, Benevento, Italy.
Abstract
BACKGROUND:
Lentigo maligna is mainly diagnosed in the elderly with severely sun-damaged skin.
OBSERVATION:
We describe a case of lentigo maligna in a 51-year-old woman with Fitzpatrick skin type III. Based on private photographs of the patient, we were able to ascertain that the lesion was already present at the age of 22 years. Despite the 29-year clinical history, the lesion was still entirely intraepidermal on histologic examination.
CONCLUSION:
Lentigo maligna in young adults is extremely rare, and therefore represents a diagnostic challenge for both clinicians and histopathologists.
Copyright 2008 S. Karger AG, Basel.