eMedicine Specialties > Dermatology > Benign Neoplasms

Halo Nevus: Follow-up

Author: Edward J Zabawski Jr, DO, RPh, Dermatologist, Spencer Dermatology Group
Coauthor(s): Clay J Cockerell, MD, Director, Clinical Professor, Department of Dermatology, Division of Dermatopathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
Contributor Information and Disclosures

Updated: May 28, 2009

Follow-up

Complications

The course of halo nevi is normally uncomplicated. Problems arise in those instances where the lesions have been misdiagnosed or when the lesion is excised and wound complications develop postoperatively.

Prognosis

Because halo nevi are benign, the prognosis for patients is excellent.

Patient Education

Patients should be instructed to monitor the lesion. If changes occur that suggest irregularity or if such symptoms as bleeding, itching, pain, or ulceration develop, the patient should be reevaluated promptly to exclude the possibility of cutaneous melanoma. For excellent patient education resources, visit eMedicine's Procedures Center. Also, see eMedicine's patient education article Mole Removal.

Miscellaneous

Medicolegal Pitfalls

Malignant melanoma may mimic halo nevus; the differentiating clinical features may be difficult to discern. If the diagnosis is questionable, consultation with a dermatologist should be sought as soon as possible.

 


More on Halo Nevus

Overview: Halo Nevus
Differential Diagnoses & Workup: Halo Nevus
Treatment & Medication: Halo Nevus
Follow-up: Halo Nevus
Multimedia: Halo Nevus
References
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References

  1. Happle R. [Grunewald nevus]. Hautarzt. Dec 1994;45(12):882-3. [Medline].

  2. Zeff RA, Freitag A, Grin CM, Grant-Kels JM. The immune response in halo nevi. J Am Acad Dermatol. Oct 1997;37(4):620-4. [Medline].

  3. Patrizi A, Neri I, Sabattini E, Rizzoli L, Misciali C. Unusual inflammatory and hyperkeratotic halo naevus in children. Br J Dermatol. Feb 2005;152(2):357-60. [Medline].

  4. Fishman HC. Letter: Malignant melanoma arising with two halo nevi. Arch Dermatol. Mar 1976;112(3):407-8. [Medline].

  5. Jacobs JB, Edelstein LM, Snyder LM, Fortier N. Ultrastructural evidence for destruction in the halo nevus. Cancer Res. Feb 1975;35(2):352-7. [Medline].

  6. Herd RM, Hunter JA. Familial halo naevi. Clin Exp Dermatol. Mar 1998;23(2):68-9. [Medline].

  7. Brazzelli V, Larizza D, Martinetti M, et al. Halo nevus, rather than vitiligo, is a typical dermatologic finding of turner's syndrome: clinical, genetic, and immunogenetic study in 72 patients. J Am Acad Dermatol. Sep 2004;51(3):354-8. [Medline].

  8. Zalaudek I, Moscarella E, Argenziano G. Artifactual "pseudo-halo nevi" secondary to sunscreen application. J Am Acad Dermatol. Jun 2006;54(6):1106-7. [Medline].

  9. Berg P, Lindelof B. Differences in malignant melanoma between children and adolescents. A 35-year epidemiological study. Arch Dermatol. Mar 1997;133(3):295-7. [Medline].

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Further Reading

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Keywords

halo nevus, nevus of Sutton, halo nevi, Sutton nevus, Sutton nevi, melanoma, malignant melanoma

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Contributor Information and Disclosures

Author

Edward J Zabawski Jr, DO, RPh, Dermatologist, Spencer Dermatology Group
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Clay J Cockerell, MD, Director, Clinical Professor, Department of Dermatology, Division of Dermatopathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
Clay J Cockerell, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, American Medical Association, International Academy of Pathology, International AIDS Society, International Society for Dermatologic Surgery, North American Clinical Dermatologic Society, Society for Investigative Dermatology, and Southern Medical Association
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Medical Editor

Susan M Swetter, MD, Director, Pigmented Lesion and Cutaneous Melanoma Clinic, Associate Professor, Department of Dermatology, Stanford University Medical Center, Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System
Susan M Swetter, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, American Medical Association, American Society of Clinical Oncology, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group, Pacific Dermatologic Association, Society for Investigative Dermatology, Society for Melanoma Research, and Women's Dermatologic Society
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Pharmacy Editor

Richard P Vinson, MD, Assistant Clinical Professor, Department of Dermatology, Texas Tech University School of Medicine; Consulting Staff, Mountain View Dermatology, PA
Richard P Vinson, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, Association of Military Dermatologists, Texas Dermatological Society, and Texas Medical Association
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Managing Editor

Jeffrey Meffert, MD, Assistant Clinical Professor of Dermatology, University of Texas Health Science Center-San Antonio
Jeffrey Meffert, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, American Medical Association, Association of Military Dermatologists, and Texas Dermatological Society
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

CME Editor

Catherine Quirk, MD, Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Dermatology, Brown University
Catherine Quirk, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha and American Academy of Dermatology
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

William D James, MD, Paul R Gross Professor of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine; Vice-Chair, Program Director, Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania Health System
William D James, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology and Society for Investigative Dermatology
Disclosure: elsevier Royalty Other; american college of physicians Honoraria Other

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