Onkologie. 2025:19(5):316-319 | DOI: 10.36290/xon.2025.057

Desmoplastic melanoma of the skin arising on the scalp: a case report

Vladimír Bartoš¹, Michal Urda²

¹ Martinské bioptické centrum, s. r. o., Martin

² Oddelenie pneumológie a ftizeológie, Fakultná nemocnica s poliklinikou F. D. Roosevelta, Banská Bystrica

Desmoplastic melanoma (DM) is a rare type of cutaneous melanoma characterized by specific clinical, biological, and histomorphological features. Grossly, it rather looks like a benign skin lesion and therefore it is usually diagnosed late at a locally advanced stage. Herein, a case of a 73-year-old woman with cutaneous DM arising on the scalp is described. It histologically consisted of atypical spindle and pleomorphic tumor cell population, which was dispersely distributed within desmoplastic stroma and "masked" by massive lymphocytic cellulisation. The tumor invaded deeply into the subcutaneous tissue and was in close proximity to the resection margins. A wide reexcision of the affected site was done with subsequently confirmed melanoma residues. PET/CT examination did not reveal regional or distant metastases. Biopsy diagnosis of DM is not easy and brings many difficulties for the pathologist. It may also be a challenge for the clinician, especially in terms of choosing the optimal treatment strategy. The positive news is that compared to "common" melanomas, it appears to have a more favorable prognosis and responds well to immunotherapy.

Keywords: desmoplastic melanoma, S100, SOX10, BRAF, prognosis.

Accepted: November 25, 2025; Published: December 15, 2025  Show citation