eMedicine Specialties > Dermatology > Benign Neoplasms

Spitz Nevus

Author: Zoltan Trizna, MD, PhD, Private Practice
Coauthor(s): Ronald P Rapini, MD, Josey Professor and Chair, Department of Dermatology, Professor of Pathology, University of Texas Medical School at Houston and MD Anderson Cancer Center
Contributor Information and Disclosures

Updated: May 28, 2010

Introduction

Background

Physicians have known for almost a century that some childhood lesions histologically diagnosed as melanomas did not show malignant behavior. The terms juvenile melanoma and prepubertal melanoma were used to describe such lesions.

After Spitz's original report of a series of patients, several attempts were made to establish objective criteria that would clearly delineate Spitz nevi and melanomas. The controversial classification of some cases as metastasizing Spitz nevi further confounded the issue; however, such cases illustrate the difficulty of accurately distinguishing some Spitz nevi from melanoma based on histological criteria alone. Even today, no set of criteria can be used to predict the clinical outcome of atypical Spitz tumors with absolute assurance.

Pathophysiology

A Spitz nevus can arise de novo or in association with an existing melanocytic nevus.

Frequency

International

Exact data on incidence or prevalence are not available. Spitz nevi are estimated to represent less than 1% of all childhood melanocytic nevi.

Mortality/Morbidity

These lesions are clinically benign.

Race

Spitz nevi have been described most frequently in fair-skinned individuals. One study reviewed 130 cases in a Hispanic population, demonstrating that Spitz nevi are not restricted to white patients.1

Sex

Both sexes are equally affected. Some authors describe a slight female predominance.

Age

About 50% of cases occur in children younger than 10 years; 70% of all cases are diagnosed during the first 2 decades of life.

Clinical

History

After its appearance, the lesion tends to grow rapidly and may reach a size of 1 cm within 6 months. Spitz nevi tend to become static after the rapid initial growth phase; however, color changes may be observed, and bleeding and pruritus are rarely noticed (see the image below).

Spitz nevus on the ear of a child.

Spitz nevus on the ear of a child.

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Spitz nevus on the ear of a child.

Spitz nevus on the ear of a child.


Physical

Single, dome-shaped, red or pigmented papules or nodules are typical. Most lesions occur on the face or legs. The color may vary from nonpigmented through pink to orange-red. Some lesions are pigmented, especially those found on lower extremities. Note that the rare recurrences may mimic metastatic malignant melanoma.

Causes

The cause of Spitz nevi is not known.

More on Spitz Nevus

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

  1. Berlingeri-Ramos AC, Morales-Burgos A, Sánchez JL, Nogales EM. Spitz Nevus in a Hispanic Population: A Clinicopathological Study of 130 Cases. Am J Dermatopathol. Jan 22 2010;[Medline].

  2. Rossiello L, Zalaudek I, Ferrara G, Docimo G, Giorgio CM, Argenziano G. Melanoacanthoma simulating pigmented spitz nevus: an unusual dermoscopy pitfall. Dermatol Surg. May 2006;32(5):735-7. [Medline].

  3. Fullen DR, Poynter JN, Lowe L, et al. BRAF and NRAS mutations in spitzoid melanocytic lesions. Mod Pathol. Oct 2006;19(10):1324-32. [Medline].

  4. Gill M, Cohen J, Renwick N, Mones JM, Silvers DN, Celebi JT. Genetic similarities between Spitz nevus and Spitzoid melanoma in children. Cancer. Dec 1 2004;101(11):2636-40. [Medline].

  5. van Dijk MC, Bernsen MR, Ruiter DJ. Analysis of mutations in B-RAF, N-RAS, and H-RAS genes in the differential diagnosis of Spitz nevus and spitzoid melanoma. Am J Surg Pathol. Sep 2005;29(9):1145-51. [Medline].

  6. Da Forno PD, Fletcher A, Pringle JH, Saldanha GS. Understanding spitzoid tumours: new insights from molecular pathology. Br J Dermatol. Jan 2008;158(1):4-14. [Medline].

  7. Egberts F, Kaehler KC, Brasch J, Schwarz T, Cerroni L, Hauschild A. Multiple skin metastases of malignant melanoma with unusual clinical and histopathologic features in an immunosuppressed patient. J Am Acad Dermatol. May 2008;58(5):880-4. [Medline].

  8. Nojavan H, Cribier B, Mehregan DR. [Desmoplastic Spitz nevus: a histopathological review and comparison with desmoplastic melanoma]. Ann Dermatol Venereol. Oct 2009;136(10):689-95. [Medline].

  9. Ko CJ, McNiff JM, Glusac EJ. Melanocytic nevi with features of Spitz nevi and Clark's/dysplastic nevi ("Spark's" nevi). J Cutan Pathol. Oct 2009;36(10):1063-8. [Medline].

  10. Gelbard SN, Tripp JM, Marghoob AA, et al. Management of Spitz nevi: a survey of dermatologists in the United States. J Am Acad Dermatol. Aug 2002;47(2):224-30. [Medline].

  11. Murphy ME, Boyer JD, Stashower ME, Zitelli JA. The surgical management of Spitz nevi. Dermatol Surg. Nov 2002;28(11):1065-9; discussion 1069. [Medline].

  12. Boer A, Wolter M, Kneisel L, Kaufmann R. Multiple agminated Spitz nevi arising on a cafe au lait macule: review of the literature with contribution of another case. Pediatr Dermatol. Nov-Dec 2001;18(6):494-7. [Medline].

  13. Dal Pozzo V, Benelli C, Restano L, Gianotti R, Cesana BM. Clinical review of 247 case records of Spitz nevus (epithelioid cell and/or spindle cell nevus). Dermatology. 1997;194(1):20-5. [Medline].

  14. Ferrara G, Argenziano G, Soyer HP, et al. The spectrum of Spitz nevi: a clinicopathologic study of 83 cases. Arch Dermatol. Nov 2005;141(11):1381-7. [Medline].

  15. Harvell JD, Bastian BC, LeBoit PE. Persistent (recurrent) Spitz nevi: a histopathologic, immunohistochemical, and molecular pathologic study of 22 cases. Am J Surg Pathol. May 2002;26(5):654-61. [Medline].

  16. Kapur P, Selim MA, Roy LC, Yegappan M, Weinberg AG, Hoang MP. Spitz nevi and atypical Spitz nevi/tumors: a histologic and immunohistochemical analysis. Mod Pathol. Feb 2005;18(2):197-204. [Medline].

  17. Orchard DC, Dowling JP, Kelly JW. Spitz naevi misdiagnosed histologically as melanoma: prevalence and clinical profile. Australas J Dermatol. Feb 1997;38(1):12-4. [Medline].

  18. Rapini RP. Spitz nevus or melanoma?. Semin Cutan Med Surg. Mar 1999;18(1):56-63. [Medline].

  19. Shimek CM, Golitz LE. The golden anniversary of the Spitz nevus. Arch Dermatol. Mar 1999;135(3):333-5. [Medline].

  20. Song JY, Kwon JA, Park CJ. A case of Spitz nevus with multiple satellite lesions. J Am Acad Dermatol. Feb 2005;52(2 Suppl 1):48-50. [Medline].

  21. Spatz A, Calonje E, Handfield-Jones S, Barnhill RL. Spitz tumors in children: a grading system for risk stratification. Arch Dermatol. Mar 1999;135(3):282-5. [Medline].

  22. Urso C, Borgognoni L, Saieva C, et al. Sentinel lymph node biopsy in patients with "atypical Spitz tumors." A report on 12 cases. Hum Pathol. Jul 2006;37(7):816-23. [Medline].

  23. Vollmer RT. Patient age in Spitz nevus and malignant melanoma: implication of Bayes rule for differential diagnosis. Am J Clin Pathol. Jun 2004;121(6):872-7. [Medline].

  24. Vollmer RT. Use of Bayes rule and MIB-1 proliferation index to discriminate Spitz nevus from malignant melanoma. Am J Clin Pathol. Oct 2004;122(4):499-505. [Medline].

  25. Weedon D, Little JH. Spindle and epithelioid cell nevi in children and adults. A review of 211 cases of the Spitz nevus. Cancer. Jul 1977;40(1):217-25. [Medline].

  26. Zaenglein AL, Heintz P, Kamino H, Zisblatt M, Orlow SJ. Congenital Spitz nevus clinically mimicking melanoma. J Am Acad Dermatol. Sep 2002;47(3):441-4. [Medline].

  27. Zatterstrom U, Thor A, Nordgren H. Cervical metastasis from Spitz nevus of the buccal mucosa. Melanoma Res. Feb 2008;18(1):36-9. [Medline].

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Further Reading

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Keywords

Spitz nevus, Spitz nevi, Spitz's nevus, Spitz's nevi, spindle and epithelioid cell nevus, juvenile melanoma, benign juvenile melanoma, nevus of large spindle and/or epithelioid cells, prepubertal melanoma

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Contributor Information and Disclosures

Author

Zoltan Trizna, MD, PhD, Private Practice
Zoltan Trizna, MD, PhD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology and Texas Medical Association
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Ronald P Rapini, MD, Josey Professor and Chair, Department of Dermatology, Professor of Pathology, University of Texas Medical School at Houston and MD Anderson Cancer Center
Ronald P Rapini, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, American Dermatological Association, American Medical Association, American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, American Society for MOHS Surgery, Society for Investigative Dermatology, Southern Medical Association, and Texas Medical Association
Disclosure: Elsevier publishers Royalty Independent contractor

Medical Editor

Maureen B Poh-Fitzpatrick, MD, Professor Emerita of Dermatology and Special Lecturer, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons; Professor of Medicine (Dermatology), University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Medicine
Maureen B Poh-Fitzpatrick, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, and New York Academy of Medicine
Disclosure: Lundbeck, Inc. Honoraria Review panel membership

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

Rosalie Elenitsas, MD, Herman Beerman Associate Professor of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine; Director, Penn Cutaneous Pathology Services, Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania Health System
Rosalie Elenitsas, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology and American Society of Dermatopathology
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

CME Editor

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

Chief Editor

Dirk M Elston, MD, Director, Department of Dermatology, Geisinger Medical Center
Dirk M Elston, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

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