Balloon Cell Naevus

The balloon cell naevus is characterized by large , vacuolated naevus cells with clear cytoplasm and central nucleus. The nucleus appears hyperchromatic. Multinucleate balloon cells may be present.

The diagnosis should be made when more than 50% of the tumour shows balloon cell change.

Although rare, balloon cell change has been observed in a variety of melanocytic proliferations, particularly intradermal melanocytic naevi and melanoma. Balloon cell change has also been reported in dysplastic naevus.

Distinction between balloon cell naevus and melanoma: In melanoma cells are larger ; mitotic figures are present ; there is evidence of radial growth phase.

Visit: Balloon Cell Melanoma. ;

Balloon cell change may lead to difficulties in diagnosis, particularly with other clear cell neoplasms. Visit: Clear cell carcinoma of skin.

Images of Balloon Cell naevus (DermAtlas)

Images of Balloon Cell Nevus of the Conjunctiva

Further reading:

Unusual variants of malignant melanoma.Mod Pathol. 2006 Feb;19 Suppl 2:S41-70.

Proliferative nodules with balloon-cell change in a large congenital melanocytic nevus.J Cutan Pathol. 2006 Mar;33(3):253-5.

Balloon cell nevus of the soft palate: an immunohistochemical and ultrastructural study.Pathol Int. 2004 Nov;54(11):872-6.

Balloon cell nevus of the pharynx.Head Neck. 2004 Oct;26(10):910-4.

Conjunctival balloon cell nevi--light- and electronmicroscopic findings in 2 patients.Klin Monatsbl Augenheilkd. 2001 Apr;218(4):269-72.

Balloon cell change in cellular blue nevus.Am J Dermatopathol. 1999 Apr;21(2):181-4.

Coincidence of balloon cell melanoma with balloon cells in a dermal nevus.Pathologe. 1998 Feb;19(2):151-3.

Balloon-cell nevi and balloon-cell malignant melanoma.Arkh Patol. 1996 Jul-Aug;58(4):64-7.

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