What is an atypical Spitz nevus?

Atypical Spitzoid neoplasm (ASN) is a poorly defined and characterized category of melanocytic tumors with histologic features of both benign Spitz nevi and malignant melanomas. The group of ASN represents a mixture of Spitz nevi with atypical features and Spitzoid melanomas.

Can a Spitz nevus turn cancerous?

Very few atypical Spitz tumors progress to melanoma and lead to serious health risks, especially when diagnosed and treated early. A suspicious Spitz nevus is usually removed by a doctor while it is still benign. If an atypical Spitz tumor becomes cancerous, it is called a Spitzoid melanoma.

Should I be worried about Spitz nevus?

It is a rare type of mole that might look worrying, but is benign (non cancerous). This means that, unlike a cancer, there’s no chance of it spreading to anywhere else in the body. Spitz naevus used to be called juvenile melanoma, but it’s not really accurate to call it this. Melanoma is a type of skin cancer.

Should a Spitz nevus be removed?

Seventy percent of general dermatologists and 80% of pediatric dermatologists would recommend excision with a 1- to 2-mm margin of normal-appearing skin around a Spitz nevus.

What causes atypical Spitz nevus?

The cause of the Spitz nevus is currently unknown. Some cases of Spitz nevi have a unique aberration of genes on chromosome 11p which is not observed in melanomas. Patients may present with possible bleeding and itching of the lesion, although these symptoms are not common as most patients are asymptomatic.

Is a Spitz nevus a tumor?

Spitz nevus (or Spitz tumor) is an uncommon melanocytic lesion composed of large epithelioid and/or spindled cells. It typically presents in childhood or adolescence as a sharply circumscribed, dome-shaped, pink-red papule or plaque most commonly located on the face or lower extremities (picture 1).

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?

Epithelioid Spitz tumors commonly show a loss of the BAP1 gene and BRAF mutations and are associated with a hereditary tumor predisposition syndrome. Desmoplastic Spitz tumors frequently harbor HRAS mutations and gains of the chromosome arm 11p. Plexiform Spitz tumors often display ALK translocations.

How can you tell the difference between Spitz melanoma and nevus?

We find that the presence of good symmetry, Kamino bodies, and uniformity of cell nests or sheets from side-to-side favours a Spitz naevus. The presence of abnormal mitoses, a dermal mitotic rate of >2/mm2, and mitotic figures within 0.25 mm of the deep border of the lesion favours a melanoma.

What is Spitz nevus?

Spitz nevus (or Spitz tumor) is an uncommon melanocytic lesion composed of large epithelioid and/or spindled cells. It typically presents in childhood or adoles It seems to us that you have your JavaScript disabled on your browser.

What is an atypical Spitz naevus?

The atypical Spitz naevus or spitzoid naevus is so called because its features differ from those seen in the majority of Spitz naevi. The rare entity, agminated Spitz naevus, presents as multiple Spitz naevi in a segmental presentation.

What is an atypical Spitz tumor?

Atypical variants of Spitz tumors have been termed “atypical Spitz tumors,” “spindle and epithelioid cell nevus with atypia and metastasis,” “melanocytic tumor of unknown malignant potential,” or “spitzoid tumor of uncertain malignant potential” [4-6].

What is the pathophysiology of persistent (recurrent) Spitz nevi?

Persistent (recurrent) Spitz nevi: a histopathologic, immunohistochemical, and molecular pathologic study of 22 cases. Am J Surg Pathol 2002; 26:654.