title: Low clinically significant rate of recurrence in benign nevi.
abstract: The recurrence rate of benign nevi has been infrequently reported and primarily as a rate of clinical recurrence. The aim of this study was to document the rate of recurrence leading to re-excision of previously biopsied nevi (the clinically significant recurrence rate). Nevi undergoing primary biopsy with a minimum 5 years follow-up were reviewed in a pathology database for recurrence requiring a further excision. A total of 1035 nevi were reviewed including 196 dysplastic nevi. Twenty six percent of nevi had a positive margin, more common in shave and punch than ellipse biopsied lesions. Three cases recurred requiring re-excision resulting in a pathology recurrence rate of 0.3%. These 3 cases showed benign changes and 2 were originally excised with clear margins. The rate of recurrence requiring re-excision is very low at 0.3%. This suggests that few cases of clinical recurrence are re-excised. Re-excision of benign nevi including mild and moderately dysplastic nevi may not be necessary.
authors.affiliation: Pathlab Bay of Plenty, Tauranga, New Zealand. bentallon@gmail.com
authors.forename: Ben
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Tallon
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Snow
mesh_terms: D001706:Biopsy; D006801:Humans; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D009506:Nevus / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012086:Reoperation; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome