Figure 3
From: Prognosticators of melanoma, the melanoma report, and the sentinel lymph node
Vertical growth phase phenotypes, classic: The left hand panel (a) demonstrates classic epithelioid vertical growth phase melanoma. This is the form of vertical growth phase most commonly associated with widespread metastases. The right-hand panel (b) shows a spindle cell vertical growth phase with wavy or fusiform, hyperchromatic nuclei, mimicking those of Schwann cell derivation. This form of vertical growth phase is prone to stubborn local recurrence and neurotropism, but less frequently causes widespread metastatic disease.
