A case of hair re-pigmentation from a scalp melanoma

Dermatol Online J. 2015 Jul 15;21(7):13030/qt9gc61299.

Abstract

Hair re-pigmentation in adults is a rare phenomenon. We describe a 58-year-old woman who developed hair re-pigmentation on her vertex scalp as a marker of underlying melanoma. Histopathology revealed a nodular melanoma that was surrounding but not invading follicular epithelium. To our knowledge, there have only been 4 other previously published cases describing hair re-pigmentation in the setting of scalp melanoma. Focal hair re-pigmentation in adults should prompt a thorough evaluation for an underlying melanoma.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Biopsy, Needle
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Hair Follicle / pathology
  • Hair*
  • Humans
  • Hyperpigmentation / diagnosis
  • Hyperpigmentation / pathology*
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Melanoma / diagnosis
  • Melanoma / pathology*
  • Middle Aged
  • Rare Diseases
  • Scalp
  • Skin Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Skin Neoplasms / pathology*