Is a Spitz nevus benign?

Is a Spitz nevus benign?

Spitz nevus (Epithelioid and Spindle-Cell Nevus) is an uncommon, benign, melanocytic nevus that is usually acquired and has histologic features that overlap with those of melanoma.

Do nevus go away?

Congenital melanocytic nevi do not go away with time. Some congenital melanocytic nevi may get lighter in color over the first few years of life.

What is the prevalence of Spitz nevus?

The majority of Spitz nevi occur in patients younger than 20 years and are less common in adulthood and elderly . Clinically, the Spitz nevus (SN) appears as a solitary, asymptomatic, round to oval, dome-shaped, papule or nodule usually located on the head, neck or extremities of young individuals.

What is the role of dermoscopy in the diagnosis of Spitz-Reed nevi?

The use of dermoscopy has increased the accuracy in the diagnosis of SN allowing a better understanding of their evolving behavior. Spitz/Reed nevi can be classified according six different dermoscopic appearances, namely, vascular (pink homogenous), globular, starburst, reticular, atypical and homogenous pattern.

What is the shape of Spitz nevi?

In raised or nodular Spitz nevi, the vessels might not appear as small dots, but as larger red globules, twisted (spiral), hairpin or corkscrew vessels, nevertheless their distribution is symmetric.

What is a pigmented Spitz naevus?

A pigmented Spitz naevus is a tan or brown papule or nodule. A pigmented spindle cell tumour of Reed is a bluish or black papule. There are clinical features in common for all three types of Spitz naevus. Their size ranges from a few millimetres to up to one or two centimetres in diameter.