Nevus spilus: is the presence of hair associated with an increased risk for melanoma?
Nevus spilus (NS), also known as speckled lentiginous nevus, is characterized by background café au lait-like lentiginous melanocytic hyperplasia speckled with small, 1- to 3-mm, darker foci. Nevus spilus occurs in 1.3% to 2.3% of the adult population worldwide. Reports of melanoma arising within hypertrichotic NS suggest that hypertrichosis may be a marker for the development of melanoma. We present a case of a hypertrichotic NS without melanoma and also provide a review of previously reported cases of hypertrichosis in NS. We believe that NS has a lower risk for malignant degeneration than congenital melanocytic nevi (CMN) of the same size, and it is unlikely that hypertrichosis is a marker for melanoma in NS.
Department of Dermatology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, USA.
Robert M
RM
Gathings
Department of Dermatology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, USA.
Raveena
R
Reddy
Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
Ashish C
AC
Bhatia
Department of Dermatology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, USA.
Robert T
RT
Brodell
D000328:Adult; D001706:Biopsy / Q000379:methods; D019080:Cafe-au-Lait Spots / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006983:Hypertrichosis / Q000473:pathology*; D008545:Melanoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D009508:Nevus, Pigmented / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology*; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology