Clinical and histopathological features of pagetoid Spitz nevi of the thigh. (8th September 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chung, Jina; Yuan, Zhimin M.; Lee, Jason B.
• Is Part Of: Journal of cutaneous pathology. Volume 47:Number 12(2020)
• Page Start: 1143
• Page End: 1149
• Publication Date: 2020-09-08
• Subjects: atypical spitz tumor -- melanoma -- misdiagnosis -- pagetoid Spitz nevus -- thigh nevus; Skin -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Dermatology -- Periodicals; 616
• DOI: 10.1111/cup.13854
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0303-6987

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Pagetoid Spitz nevus is a rare subtype of Spitz nevus usually found on the lower extremities, particularly on the thigh of women. As a rare and under‐recognized entity that can be misdiagnosed as melanoma, further characterization of clinical and histopathological features is needed to improve its recognition. Methods: A retrospective analysis of all melanocytic neoplasms from the thigh diagnosed over a 3‐year period. Results: Fifty‐five (15.4%) of the 357 melanocytic neoplasms on the thigh were Spitz nevi, the majority of them occurring in women (87.3%). Of the 55 Spitz nevi, 33 (60.0%) were pagetoid Spitz nevi, 14 (25.5%) were Reed nevi, and eight (14.5%) were conventional Spitz nevi. The mean age of patients with pagetoid Spitz nevi was 47.2, the majority being women (84.9%). Pagetoid Spitz nevi were small, with a mean histopathologic diameter of 4 mm, and often junctional (63.6%). Compared to Clark nevi of the thigh, pagetoid Spitz nevi comprised significantly more solitary melanocytes with a greater degree of scatter. Conclusions: These results suggest that Spitz nevi and, in particular, pagetoid Spitz nevi constitute a significant percentage of nevi on the thigh. Previously reported benign clinical and histopathological features of pagetoid Spitz nevi are confirmed in this study.