c26t3P2: To the left, the epidermis is hyperplastic and viable. Over the lesion, the epidermis is ulcerated. There is a superficial zone of necrosis beneath the ulcer. Broad fascicles of plump spindle cells are closely clustered beneath the zone of necrosis. In some of the fascicles, cells are deeply pigmented. Lentiginous and junctional components are not represented.

c26t3P3: The tumor is separated from the epidermis by a zone of fibrous tissue. Near the zone of fibrosis, rounded nests of cells are closely aggregated. Beneath this zone, plump, pink spindle cells form closely aggregated, broad fascicles. The patterns are typical vertical growth-like in this field, but there appear to be coarse collagen bundles entrapped among some of the fascicles. On this basis, and assuming that the collagen bundles are a marker for the domain of the reticular dermis, the patterns might be more appropriately characterized as a variation of migrant vertical growth. Inflammation is not a prominent feature of the viable tumor.

c26t3P4: The orientation of hair follicles would support the interpretation that the photomicrograph is properly oriented. The lesion is at least deep level IV and probably is level V in pattern. Collagen bundles of the reticular dermis are entrapped among the fascicles of tumor cells.

c26t3P5: This is a troublesome histologic pattern. The cells are large and cytologically atypical; the degree of atypia is marked. There is some degree of nuclear pleomorphism. Are we to characterize this a spitzoid melanoma? If so, what is the utility of such a characterization?