What does a Spitz nevus look like?

A Spitz nevus usually appears pink and is shaped like a dome. Sometimes, the mole contains other colors, such as: red. black.

Is a Spitz nevus bad?

Spitz nevi are uncommon melanocytic neoplasms of epithelioid or spindled cells that are found in children [1]. Once treated as a “juvenile melanoma” with malignant potential, these tumors possess a spectrum of clinical and histopathologic presentation that has argued for benignancy [2].

Does Spitz nevus need to be removed?

Classic Spitz nevi usually grow for a few months and then gradually fade away over the course of a few years. They may only require medical monitoring. Spitz nevi in adults and types that may be linked to melanoma, such as pigmented and atypical Spitz tumors, are usually surgically removed from the skin.

How fast does Spitz nevus grow?

Spitz nevi were previously diagnosed as melanomas due to their similar appearance under a microscope, until it was found that they did not show malignant behavior. They tend to grow very rapidly, reaching a size of approximately 1 cm within 6 months and thereafter remaining static, which may be worrisome to patients.

How often is Spitz nevus misdiagnosed?

Assessment of the clinical characteristics of these patients was also performed and compared to those with correctly diagnosed melanoma. It was found that 6.5% of all melanomas referred were in fact Spitz naevi and that Spitz naevi represented the majority of pathologically misdiagnosed melanomas.

Is Spitz nevus hereditary?

Results: Several histopathological and molecular genetic distinct subtypes of spitzoid lesions have been defined. Epithelioid Spitz tumors commonly show a loss of the BAP1 gene and BRAF mutations and are associated with a hereditary tumor predisposition syndrome.

Why is excise Spitz nevus?

A Spitz naevus is a benign skin tumour. However, it may resemble a melanoma clinically and microscopically, so Spitz naevi are often excised as a precaution.

Is a nevus a tumor?

A nevus is a benign (noncancerous) melanocytic tumor, more commonly called a mole. Nevi (the plural of nevus) are not usually present at birth but begin to appear in children and teenagers.

What is atypical Spitz nevus?

Atypical Spitz nevi are described as conventional Spitz nevi with 1 or more atypical features with indeterminate biological potential. Features of atypical Spitz include larger size (>6 mm), irregular borders, irregular topography, or ulceration.

Is Spitzoid melanoma aggressive?

Although there is a paucity of data, several smaller studies have suggested spitzoid melanomas are less aggressive and have a lower mortality rate when compared with conventional malignant melanoma, he said.

Is Spitz nevus genetic?

Genetic aberrations can be found in the entire biological spectrum of spitzoid neoplasms (i.e. Spitz nevi, atypical Spitz tumors and spitzoid melanoma) and are, therefore, probably not useful for distinguishing benign from malignant tumors; however, genetic aberrations represent important targets for therapeutic …

How do I know if my nevus is cancerous?

Use the “ABCDE rule” to look for some of the common signs of melanoma, one of the deadliest forms of skin cancer:

1. Asymmetry. One part of a mole or birthmark doesn’t match the other.
2. Border. The edges are irregular, ragged, notched, or blurred.
3. Color.
4. Diameter.
5. Evolving.

How to tell if you have a spitz nevi?

A Spitz nevus usually appears pink and is shaped like a dome. Sometimes, the mole contains other colors, such as: These lesions are often found on the face, neck, or legs. They tend to grow quickly and can bleed or ooze. If you have a Spitz nevus, you may experience itching around the mole. There are two types of Spitz nevi.

What kind of skin cancer is a spitz nevus?

What Is Spitz Nevus? A Spitz nevus is a rare type of skin mole that usually affects young people and children. Although it can look like a serious form of skin cancer called melanoma, a Spitz nevus lesion isn’t considered cancerous. Read on to learn more about how you can detect these moles and how they’re treated.

What kind of biopsy is needed for Spitz nevus?

A Spitz nevus is typically diagnosed with a biopsy. This means your doctor will remove all or part of the mole and send it to a lab to be examined. It’s important that a trained and skilled pathologist examines the sample to determine if it’s a Spitz nevus or a more serious melanoma. A skin biopsy doesn’t always provide a definitive diagnosis.

What’s the difference between classic and atypical Spitz nevi?

There are two types of Spitz nevi. Classic Spitz nevi are noncancerous and usually harmless. Atypical Spitz nevi are a little less predictable. They may act like cancerous lesions and are sometimes treated like melanomas. Most of the time, doctors can’t tell the difference between a Spitz nevus and a melanoma lesion by simply looking at it.