Principal Investigator:
Kristen Berrebi, MD
University of Iowa Health Care
Overview:
Spitz tumors are melanocytic proliferations seen in children and are divided into three categories along a spectrum: (1) benign Spitz nevus, (2) atypical Spitz tumor, and (3) Spitzoid melanoma. The current gold standard for diagnosis is biopsy. Identification of Spitzoid melanoma is important because diagnosis and appropriate treatment can prevent morbidity and mortality, but the differentiation between this spectrum of lesions remains a challenge.
Additional immunohistochemical and molecular/genetic studies have been developed for further characterization of these lesions, however their utility is not well-defined.. Clinical uncertainty arises when benign histopathologic features do not align with results of these studies.
This study aims to pool data for patients with Spitzoid neoplasms in an effort to evaluate how these aforementioned ancillary studies affect clinical plan and outcome. We hope to identify the value and cost effectiveness of these studies with a future goal of determining treatment guidelines of Spitzoid neoplasms.
Status:
This project was funded by a 2020 PeDRA Research Grant.