Assessing Nuclear and Nucleolar Areas Between Malignant Melanoma and Benign Nevi.

StudyThe American Journal of dermatopathology· Jun 2026

Carol Stegura, Nolan Steevens, Hannah Neimy … Dirk Elston

Skin Cancer & MelanomaStudyDiagnosisQ3IF 0.6

Melanoma nuclei have larger average area than benign nevi nuclei

Carol Stegura … Dirk Elston

The American Journal of dermatopathology · Jun 2026 · Q3 in Dermatology

Background

Distinguishing malignant melanoma (melanoma) from benign melanocytic nevi presents a diagnostic challenge that can result in suboptimal management.

Purpose

We sought to assess whether quantifying nuclear and nucleolar areas in histological samples provided utility in differentiation.

Results

melanoma nuclei are noticeably larger than nevi nuclei

MM

702.04μm2

Benign nevi

481.18μm2

More results

Our study used deidentified hematoxylin and eosin (H&E)-stained teaching slides, 77 melanoma cases and 73 benign nevi cases (N = 150).

Nuclei selection was contingent on visualization of the nuclear envelope and a singular nucleolus.

Mann-Whitney U tests were applied to compare average nuclear and nucleolar areas between groups.

More results

Significant differences were observed in both nuclear and nucleolar areas.

“

Conclusion

The mean nuclear area was significantly larger in melanoma compared with benign nevi (702.04 ± 236.55 μm2 vs. 481.18 ± 153.89 μm2; P < 0.001).