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Description This chapter describes the dermoscopy term hypopigmented structureless areas and its histopathological correlation
Author(s) Ralph P. Braun · Katrin Kerl · Oriol Yélamos
Responsible author Ralph Braun→ send e-mail
Status unknown
Status update March 2, 2021
Status by Ralph P. Braun


Hypopigmented structureless areas have a lighter pigment compared with the rest of the lesion; however, they manifest the same or slightly more pigment compared with the surrounding normal skin (N.B.: structureless areas that are hyperpigmented are called blotches). Focal structureless areas within a lesion are a common finding in nevi.

Nevus central hypopigmentation.jpg

In contrast, focal tan to light brown structureless areas at the periphery of a melanocytic lesion is commonly associated with melanoma. Peripherally located structureless areas in melanoma tend to have a light brown to fawn color and tend to end abruptly at the edge of a lesion. Histologically, these areas are characterized by flattening of the DEJ (loss of the undulating pattern of rete ridges and dermal papillae) and scattering of atypical melanocytes in suprabasal epidermal layers (i.e., pagetoid cells).

Melanoma displaying tan structuresless area




References
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