Biomaterial Database

Prognosing melanomas: the argyrophilic nucleolar organizer region approach. 1992

A Rebora

Department of Dermatology, University of Genoa, Italy.

Staining of argyrophilic nucleolar organizer regions (AgNORs) is a histological technique that has been assayed on a vast array of cutaneous tumors in order to help distinguish benign from malignant lesions. In a number of papers, malignant melanomas have been found to have a higher number of black nucleolar and extranucleolar dots (i.e. AgNORs) than benign nevi, including Spitz nevus. The technique may be used for prognostic purposes, as a recent paper suggests. Melanomas with more than 3.62 AgNORs/cell have a higher probability to develop metastasis than melanomas with fewer AgNORs. The problems such an apparently simple, fast and reproducible technique may pose are discussed in detail.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008545	Melanoma	A malignant neoplasm derived from cells that are capable of forming melanin, which may occur in the skin of any part of the body, in the eye, or, rarely, in the mucous membranes of the genitalia, anus, oral cavity, or other sites. It occurs mostly in adults and may originate de novo or from a pigmented nevus or malignant lentigo. Melanomas frequently metastasize widely, and the regional lymph nodes, liver, lungs, and brain are likely to be involved. The incidence of malignant skin melanomas is rising rapidly in all parts of the world. (Stedman, 25th ed; from Rook et al., Textbook of Dermatology, 4th ed, p2445)	Malignant Melanoma,Malignant Melanomas,Melanoma, Malignant,Melanomas,Melanomas, Malignant
D009697	Nucleolus Organizer Region	The chromosome region which is active in nucleolus formation and which functions in the synthesis of ribosomal RNA.	Nucleolar Organizer,Nucleolar Organizers,Nucleolus Organizer Regions,Organizer Region, Nucleolus,Organizer Regions, Nucleolus,Organizer, Nucleolar,Organizers, Nucleolar,Region, Nucleolus Organizer,Regions, Nucleolus Organizer
D011379	Prognosis	A prediction of the probable outcome of a disease based on a individual's condition and the usual course of the disease as seen in similar situations.	Prognostic Factor,Prognostic Factors,Factor, Prognostic,Factors, Prognostic,Prognoses
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D012878	Skin Neoplasms	Tumors or cancer of the SKIN.	Cancer of Skin,Skin Cancer,Cancer of the Skin,Neoplasms, Skin,Cancer, Skin,Cancers, Skin,Neoplasm, Skin,Skin Cancers,Skin Neoplasm
D016622	Silver Staining	The use of silver, usually silver nitrate, as a reagent for producing contrast or coloration in tissue specimens.	Silver Nitrate Staining,Nitrate Staining, Silver,Staining, Silver,Staining, Silver Nitrate