title: Vulvar nevi, melanosis, and melanoma: an epidemiologic, clinical, and histopathologic review.
abstract: Pigmented vulvar lesions are present in approximately 1 in 10 women and include melanocytic and nonmelanocytic proliferations. Vulvar nevi, melanosis, and melanoma are particularly challenging because of the similarity of their clinical and/or histopathological presentation. As a result, they are often difficult to diagnose, may result in patient and physician anxiety, and can lead to unneeded, potentially disfiguring surgical procedures. Because it is often detected late, vulvar melanoma carries a poor prognosis with associated significant morbidity and mortality, underscoring the importance of prompt recognition and treatment. In this review, we analyze the distinct epidemiologic, clinical, and histopathologic characteristics of vulvar nevi, melanosis, and melanoma, discuss treatment options, and propose a practical, systematic approach to facilitate formulation of a differential diagnosis and initiation of appropriate management.
authors.affiliation: Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York.
authors.forename: Era Caterina
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Murzaku
authors.affiliation: Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York.
authors.forename: Lauren A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Penn
authors.affiliation: Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York.
authors.forename: Christopher S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Hale
authors.affiliation: Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York.
authors.forename: Miriam Keltz
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Pomeranz
authors.affiliation: Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York. Electronic address: David.Polsky@nyumc.org.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Polsky
mesh_terms: D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008545:Melanoma / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D009508:Nevus, Pigmented / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D014846:Vulvar Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery
keywords: dermoscopy; melanocytic nevi; melanoma; melanosis; pigmented lesions; reflectance confocal microscopy; vulvar region