Spontaneous Regression Of The Primary Melanoblastoma

Abstract

The author describes the spontaneous regression of the primary melanoblastoma (MBL) of the skin in 18 of the total of 220 patients, i.e., in 8.1%. None of these patients had been treated before in the area of the primary tumour; neither had absolved any total antitumourous treatment. Clinically, in the tumour in regression there start to appear one or more facets, which are either pale or pink. Sometimes they may be bluish. These facets may gradually replace the tumour so that in the final stages there is only an inconspicuous area at the level of the skin. It can be supposed that in this area the skin may develop quite a normal appearance. In the histological picture there is a series of changes, none of which are necessarily typical for spontaneous regression. Some of these changes were found in all cases (obligatory), some only in several cases (facultative). The cause of the spontaneous regression of the primary melanoblastoma of the skin is not known. The histological feature of metastases does not depend on the structure of the primary tumour, which corresponds with our current experience with MBL without spontaneous regression. The course and prognosis of melanoblastoma with spontaneous regression of the primary tumour are the same as in that without regression.