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Multiple primary cancers may occur in the same patient, with a prevalence that follows an ascendant trend. Their development is dictated by a complex interplay between a variety of factors, both patient-dependent and external. The case of a 38-year-old female patient diagnosed and treated for pancreatic cancer (PC) is presented in whom the digital dermoscopic monitoring of melanocytic nevi revealed a marked change of two nevi that acquired rapidly highly atypical features. They were surgically excised and the histopathological examination revealed two completely excised dysplastic compound nevi. Clinicians should be aware of the strong association between dysplastic nevus syndrome and PC, a malignancy associated with an extremely poor prognosis. Familial atypical multiple mole melanoma syndrome (FAMMM) predisposes to the development of melanoma, pancreatic cancer and other neoplasms. The common genetic background of PC and hereditary melanoma is discussed and the importance of regular skin checkup and screening for PC in these patients is underlined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. Spitz nevus is a benign melanocytic lesion, most frequently met in children and in the young adult, at the level of the head and of the extremities, with a rapid evolution (months), that worries both the family and the doctor. Aim. To highlight the difficulties in diagnosing clinically, dermoscopically and histopathologically a lesion that may resemble to a melanoma. Material and methods. We present two cases of Spitz nevus, appeared at the age of 10 and 16, respectively, as a blackish pigmented lesion and a pink, non-pigmented one, for which a consultation at the clinic was demanded, for the suspicion of malignity. Both lesions were clinically, dermoscopically and histopathologically evaluated. Results. The suspicion of malignity being totally eliminated for the non pigmented one, classified as a classical non pigmented Spitz nevus; on the other hand, the pigmented lesion could only be classified as an atypical Spitz nevus (spitzoid tumor with uncertain malignant potential). Conclusions: Diagnosing Spitz nevus continues to be a clinical, dermoscopic and, last but not least, histopathological challenge, and the surgical excision is recommended in most cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Melanoma is one of the most aggressive forms of skin cancer, with limited therapeutic options. Since its incidence has been rapidly rising in recent years, the study of new targeted therapeutic strategies has increased. The implication of nanoscience in the development of alternative targeted therapies for melanoma has multiple benefits and could significantly improve the outcome of melanoma patients. In this paper, we review the most recent progress in the field of targeted therapies, emphasizing the impact of nanoscale materials on the targeting and controlled release of anti-tumor drugs. The applications of nanomedicine in the management of melanoma are extensive and refer to sentinel lymph node mapping, chemotherapy, and RNA interference; each of these applications harboring the potential to develop efficient and personalized diagnostic techniques and therapies. Further research, especially in clinical trials, is needed to establish whether fighting melanoma on the nanoscale level represents the key to reaching a critical inflection point in mankind's battle with metastatic melanoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]