Malignant melanocytic lesions in clinically suspected pterygium - Takeaways - MDSpire
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Malignant Melanocytic Tumors in Clinically Diagnosed Pterygium Cases

  • By

  • Rozina Ida Hajdu

  • Paola Kammrath Betancor

  • Othmane Touirssa

  • Claudia Auw-Haedrich

  • Thomas Reinhard

  • Simone Nuessle

  • September 1, 2026

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  • 1

    This study investigates malignant melanocytic tumors in surgically removed specimens clinically diagnosed as pterygia.

  • 2

    Seven out of 2,298 specimens (0.30%) showed malignant melanocytic lesions, including four cases of invasive conjunctival melanoma.

  • 3

    Patients with malignant lesions ranged in age from 26 to 71 years, with a median age of 54 years.

  • 4

    The study emphasizes the need for histopathological assessment of all excised pterygia to identify potential malignancies.

  • 5

    Increased clinical awareness is necessary for amelanotic lesions that may be misdiagnosed as pterygium.

Original Source(s)

Malignant melanocytic lesions in clinically suspected pterygium

  • by Rozina Ida Hajdu, Paola Kammrath Betancor, Othmane Touirssa, Claudia Auw-Haedrich, Thomas Reinhard, Simone Nuessle

  • September 1, 2026

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