title: The prevalence of melanocytic nevi on the soles in the Japanese population.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Acral lentiginous melanoma (ALM) is the most common type of melanoma in Japan. The association between ALM and acral nevus has not been elucidated.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the prevalence and dermatoscopic patterns of plantar melanocytic nevi on the soles in the Japanese and to evaluate the relationship between acral nevi and ALM.
  
  
  METHODS
  All outpatients (N = 1697) and melanoma patients (N = 104) were included. We examined the number, size, and dermatoscopic images of nevi.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the control group, the prevalence of plantar nevi was 10.9%, and the mean size was 3.8 +/- 2.4 mm. The prevalence of nevi in patients with ALM and melanoma in situ on the soles was 8.6% and that of patients with melanoma on other sites was 14.5%. The main dermatoscopic pattern was "parallel furrow" in both groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This was a clinical observational study only.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The number, size, and dermatoscopic patterns of nevi on the soles of patients with ALM and melanoma in situ on the soles did not differ from those of the control group.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology & Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Graduate School of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kumamoto University, 1-1-1 Honjo, Kumamoto 860-8556, Japan.
authors.forename: Hazuki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kogushi-Nishi
authors.forename: Junko
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kawasaki
authors.forename: Toshiro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kageshita
authors.forename: Tsuyoshi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ishihara
authors.forename: Hironobu
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ihn
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005534:Foot Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007564:Japan / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009508:Nevus, Pigmented / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology; D015995:Prevalence; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology