title: Spitz naevus: histological features and distinction from malignant melanoma.
abstract: Spitz naevus is a benign lesion that can be confused histologically with malignant melanoma. Some malignant melanomas also have an appearance similar to a Spitz naevus. Spitz naevus commonly occurs in children but also occurs in adults. The typical Spitz naevus has a classical histological appearance. This paper reviews several studies which have attempted to develop criteria to separate malignant melanoma and Spitz naevi. Histological features that suggest a diagnosis of malignant melanoma rather than atypical Spitz naevus include deep and marginal mitoses, atypical mitoses, asymmetry, pleomorphism and prominent epidermal involvement.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomical Pathology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital.
authors.forename: K A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Crotty
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology*; D018332:Nevus, Epithelioid and Spindle Cell / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology*; D011379:Prognosis; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology*