Epidermal dynamics and patterns of intraepidermal melanoma.
Journal Article
Background
Dermatopathologists know that the epidermis represents a dynamic compartment and that its cells mature from the basal layer to the skin surface in approximately 45 days. What may seem intuitive - but not obvious - is that the dynamics of the epidermis can affect the patterns of melanoma cells within the epidermis. Here this conjecture is explored with an abstract, theoretical model.Methods
To control the independent effects of epidermal replacement velocity and thickness as well as rate of melanoma cell penetration of the epidermis, an abstraction of the epidermis was created and simulated via computer.Results
Simulated plots of the epidermis show that the number and pattern of melanoma cells in the epidermis is affected by the probability of melanoma cells entering the epidermis, by the velocity of epidermal replacement and by epidermal thickness.Conclusion
This analysis suggests that the dynamics of the epidermis are sufficient to affect the patterns of melanoma cells within the epidermis.Full Text
Duke Authors
Cited Authors
- Vollmer, RT
Published Date
- March 2014
Published In
Volume / Issue
- 41 / 3
Start / End Page
- 297 - 302
PubMed ID
- 24354632
Pubmed Central ID
- 24354632
Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)
- 1600-0560
International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)
- 0303-6987
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
- 10.1111/cup.12280
Language
- eng