Do we have to pay more attention to vitiligo patients? Peculiar histopathological features of primary cutaneous melanoma preceded by vitiligo

Abstract

Vitiligo is an acquired depigmenting skin disease characterized by the loss of functioning epidermal melanocytes. Vitiligo can be associated with an autoimmune disorder. An unusual and important aspect of vitiligo is its relationship to melanoma. We present herein a 34-year-old man who developed regional lymph node metastases of malignant melanoma 2 years after the diagnosis of vitiligo.