Spindle cell nevi and epithelioid nevi (so-called juvenile melanomas) in children and adults

Sentinel lymph node biopsy in patients with “atypical Spitz tumors.” A report on 12 cases

“…In the subsequent years, however, juvenile melanomas were regarded to be benign in behavior and classified among benign nevi [1]. Since then, such tumors, variously termed as bspindle and epithelioid cell nevi,Q blarge spindle and/or epithelioid cell nevi,Q or b Spitz nevi,Q were considered fully benign lesions, which showed a certain number of atypical histological features and were therefore to be differentiated from malignant melanoma [2,3]. In 1989, however, Smith et al [23] reported 6 cases with the histological features of Spitz nevus and lymph node metastases; the authors labeled such cases as b malignant Spitz nevi,Q rather than malignant melanomas, because their histological features were not considered sufficient to support a diagnosis of melanoma and because tumors did not show bthe potential of widespread metastasis.Q Such a particular subgroup of …”

“…Spitz (spindle and/or epithelioid cell) nevus is currently regarded as a special variant of benign melanocytic nevus, which represents an insidious simulator of melanoma, because of showing several atypical histological features that may deceptively suggest malignancy [1,2]. In most cases, the distinction between Spitz nevi and malignant melanomas, although difficult, is reasonably possible.…”

Spindle and epithelioid cell nevi in the adult.Clinicopathologic report of 26 cases

“…5, 9). The multinucleated giant cells are larger epithelioid cells with up to 10 or 20 nuclei (Fig. 5).…”

Juvenile Melanoma. A Tumor of Vascular Origin?

“…Hehvig [5] in the same year used the term " spindle cell nevus" to describe a group of tum ors included within w hat had been described up to th at time as juvenile melanoma. In 1960 Kernen and Ackermann [6] stressed the distinction between the spindle cell and epithelioid cell types of juvenile melanoma. Recently this subject has been reviewed by Duperrat [7], Allen [8], and Gartmann [9].…”