Cutaneous melanomas associated with nevi.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the frequency of and the histologic and clinical factors associated with melanoma existing in histologic contiguity with a nevus.


METHODS
Pathology reports from melanomas collected from January 1, 1993, to December 31, 1997, were retrospectively reviewed.


METHODS
Independent, community-based dermatopathology laboratory.


METHODS
A total of 1606 patients with a histologic diagnosis of melanoma.


METHODS
None.


METHODS
Differences in histologic (subtype, Breslow thickness, and Clark level) and clinical (age, sex, and anatomic location) features between melanomas that are associated and unassociated with a nevus.


RESULTS
Twenty-six percent of the melanomas reviewed were histologically associated with nevi (dysplastic nevi, 43.0%; and other nevi, 57.0%). Factors that were significantly associated with an increased likelihood of a melanoma being histologically contiguous with a nevus included younger age, superficial spreading subtype, truncal location, Breslow thickness, and Clark level. However, after multivariate analysis, only younger age (odds ratio, 1.27; 95% confidence interval, 1.19-1.37), superficial spreading subtype (odds ratio, 2.96; 95% confidence interval, 2.17-4.02), and truncal location (odds ratio, 3.26; 95% confidence interval, 2.55-4.19) remained significant.


CONCLUSIONS
Most melanomas were not histologically contiguous with a nevus. Younger age, superficial spreading subtype, and truncal location are independent significant predicators of a melanoma being histologically associated with a nevus.
Bevona
Caroline
C
Melanoma Center, Department of Dermatology, Massachusetts General Hsopital, Boston, 02114, USA.
Goggins
William
W
Quinn
Timothy
T
Fullerton
Julie
J
Tsao
Hensin
H
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D003196:Computer Graphics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000473:pathology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009378:Neoplasms, Multiple Primary / Q000473:pathology*; D009506:Nevus / Q000473:pathology*; D016017:Odds Ratio; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*