Clinical and histopathological features of pagetoid Spitz nevi of the thigh

Abstract

Background: Pagetoid Spitz nevus is a rare subtype of Spitz nevus usually found on the lower extremities, particularly on the thigh of women. As a rare and underrecognized entity that can be misdiagnosed as melanoma, further characterization of clinical and histopathological features is needed to improve its recognition. Methods: A retrospective analysis of all melanocytic neoplasms from the thigh diagnosed over a 3-year period. Results: Fifty-five (15.4%) of the 357 melanocytic neoplasms on the thigh were Spitz nevi, the majority of them occurring in women (87.3%). Of the 55 Spitz nevi, 33 (60.0%) were pagetoid Spitz nevi, 14 (25.5%) were Reed nevi, and eight (14.5%) were conventional Spitz nevi. The mean age of patients with pagetoid Spitz nevi was 47.2, the majority being women (84.9%). Pagetoid Spitz nevi were small, with a mean histopathologic diameter of 4 mm, and often junctional (63.6%). Compared to Clark nevi of the thigh, pagetoid Spitz nevi comprised significantly more solitary melanocytes with a greater degree of scatter. Conclusions: These results suggest that Spitz nevi and, in particular, pagetoid Spitz nevi constitute a significant percentage of nevi on the thigh. Previously reported benign clinical and histopathological features of pagetoid Spitz nevi are confirmed in this study.