Clinical and pathologic features of Spitz nevus: the experience of 79 cases.

Background. Spitz Nevus still represents a challenge for dermato-pathologists in distinguishing it from malignant melanoma, particularly in adults. Spitz Nevus misdiagnosis may lead to serious consequences including malpractice claims.Objectives. The goal of the study is review of clinico-pathological characteristics of Spitz Nevi.Methods. In present study we reviewed a series of 79 consecutive patients with histologically proved Spitz Nevi between the years 1996-2004. The histological reports were evaluated for parameters associated with the lesion’s diameter, location, subtype, operating setting (community clinics vs. hospital) and correlation with possible future appearance of malignant melanocytic lesions.Results. Spitz nevus prevalence among removed nevi in 8-year period is 0.6%.In our series 68.4% of patients were younger than 20 years old, equally distributed according to gender. Spitz nevi were predominantly excised in compound phase in respect to their subtype.Conclusions. We did not revealed any unique clinical features distinguishing Spitz nevus from other melanocytic nevi.