Aberrant expression of FLI‐1 in melanoma. (10th July 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ramani, Nisha; Aung, Phyu P.; Hwu, Wen‐Jen; Nagarajan, Priyadharsini; Tetzlaff, Michael T.; Curry, Johnathan L.; Ivan, Doina; Prieto, Victor G.; Torres‐Cabala, Carlos A.
• Is Part Of: Journal of cutaneous pathology. Volume 44:Number 9(2017)
• Page Start: 790
• Page End: 793
• Publication Date: 2017-07-10
• Subjects: FLI‐1 -- melanoma -- small round blue cell tumors; Skin -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Dermatology -- Periodicals; 616
• DOI: 10.1111/cup.12979
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0303-6987

Abstract

Abstract : Friend leukemia integration site 1 ( FLI‐1 ) nuclear transcription factor has been proposed as a suitable tool in the differential diagnosis of small round cell sarcomas. It has also been described as a nuclear marker of endothelial differentiation. Expression of FLI‐1 has been demonstrated in Ewing's sarcoma/primitive neuroectodermal tumor (ES/PNET) and vascular neoplasms. In the present study, we describe 2 cases of metastatic melanoma with small round blue cell morphology that showed strong nuclear expression of FLI‐1. Because of the small round blue cell morphology and negative immunohistochemical staining for pan‐melanocytic cocktail (HMB45, anti MART1 and anti‐tyrosinase) and SOX10 in both cases, FLI‐1 immunostaining was requested as part of the tumors workup. Ultimately, both cases were established as being metastatic melanoma. Dermatopathologists should be aware that melanoma can be strongly positive for FLI‐1 and not misinterpret these cases for ES/PNET or vascular lesions, especially when melanomas show unusual morphology.