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Spitz nevus

Synonym:

Juvenile melanoma
Benign juvenile melanoma
Spindle cell nevus
Epithelioid cell nevus

The Spitz nevus, is usually a pink nodule. Spitz nevi can also be pigmented.
Most commonly seen on the face of children, this lesion can grow quite rapidly. Spitz nevus in children is generally thought to be a benign condition.
They can also occur into middle adulthood.
While usually solitary they can be multiple or even agminated.
Histologically it can be difficult to separate from malignant melanoma.

Treatment:

  • The treatment of choice is surgical excision, with a 0.5 to 1 cm margin if atypical in clinical morphology, location or patient age, narrower if the lesion is classical.
  • Patients with atypical Spitz nevi in the older age group should be followed as if they had malignant melanoma.
  • Spitz nevi are best evaluated histopathologically by a total excisional biopsy with narrow margins.
spitz nevus

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