Histologic spectrum of melanocytic nevi removed from patients > 60 years of age.
BACKGROUND
The histology of melanocytic nevi removed from older patients often differs from that of nevi from younger adults. According to the literature, the most common nevus in older individuals is the intradermal nevus, and purely junctional nevi are rare and should alert the pathologist to a possible melanoma precursor.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the histologic features of melanocytic nevi removed from patients > 60 year of age.


METHODS
Biopsies of nevi (N=215) from 172 patients > 60 years (mean age 69+/-7 years) were examined retrospectively by three dermatopathologists, a consensus diagnosis was rendered, and the spectrum of histologic features was documented.


RESULTS
Junctional melanocytic nevi were frequently diagnosed in older patients (21% of cases) and a lentiginous, often heavily pigmented growth pattern was common (12% of nevi). Severely atypical (dysplastic) changes were found in 6% of nevi removed from older patients.


CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that benign junctional nevi are relatively common in older patients and that a lentiginous, heavily pigmented growth pattern, traditionally associated with younger individuals, is often seen in both junctional and compound nevi in this older age group. This pattern must be differentiated from dysplastic nevus and melanoma in situ, which they may clinically resemble.
Martinka
Magda
M
Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver General Hospital, Vancouver, BC.
Bruecks
Andrea K
AK
Trotter
Martin J
MJ
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000175:diagnosis; D008875:Middle Aged; D009506:Nevus / Q000473:pathology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*