Spitz Nevi are benign melanocytic nevi that I occasionally encounter in both my The Woodlands dermatology and Conroe dermatology offices. Spitz Nevi are most often found in children but adults account for 1/3 of all cases. Typically, a Spitz Nevus is a solitary pink papule but some can be heavily pigmented with a very black appearance. Occasionally, Spitz Nevi arise in clusters of multiple lesions called Agminated Spitz Nevi. The significance of a Spitz Nevus is that the histology is very similar to a melanoma but has a few unique microscopic features that distinguish them. Thus, most dermatologists elect to have most Spitz Nevi completely excised with clear surgical margins. Also, there is a rare type of Spitz Nevus that is a Spitzoid Melanoma which must be widely excised and treated according to its specific staging guidelines.
September 4, 2011
Medically reviewed by Anthony J. Perri, M.D.
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