title: Persistent blue nevus simulating melanoma.
abstract: We report a case of a persistent blue nevus that significantly extended beyond the scar of the original excision mimicking those clinical changes usually seen in melanoma. The histopathologic evaluation revealed a common blue nevus. The lesion was re-excised, and 10 months later a bluish macule appeared next to the surgical scar. This case of a persistent blue nevus with an unusual clinical presentation and a benign clinical course highlights the fact that the clinical markers commonly used to identify melanoma in pigmented lesions will not always accurately diagnose melanoma.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, Puerto Rico 00936-5067.
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Muñoz
authors.forename: Aida
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Quintero
authors.forename: Jorge L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Sánchez
authors.forename: Hiram
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ruiz-Santiago
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008545:Melanoma / Q000175:diagnosis*; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D018329:Nevus, Blue / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor