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Spitz naevi
Spitz naevi (or Spitz's nevi) are skin lesions that usually affect the face or limbs of young children. They usually grow rapidly at first. After the initial growth period, they may remain static for years. However, they often disappear spontaneously after a period of time.
Spitz naevi have also been known as ‘juvenile melanomas’ because they may resemble malignant melanomas clinically and microscopically. However Spitz naevi are actually bening (non-cancerous) skin tumours.
What do they look like?
Spitz naevi are typically dome-shaped red, reddish-brown or darker papules or nodules up to one or two centimetres in diamater.
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How do you get them and who is at risk?
It is not known why Spitz nevi occur. They seen most often in children; 70% of cases diagnosed during the first 2 years of life, but they may also arise in adults. They are most frequently found in fair-skinned individuals (skin phototypes 1 & 2).
What treatments are available?
Because of the difficultly in definitively predicting the outcome of Spitz naevi, it is generally recommended that the lesions be cut out (excised).
Related information
References:
- Book: Textbook of Dermatology. Ed Rook A, Wilkinson DS, Ebling FJB, Champion RH, Burton JL. Blackwell Scientific Publications.
On DermNet NZ:
- Birthmarks (naevi)
- Moles (melanocytic naevi)
- Congenital melanocytic naevi
- Blue naevi
- Halo naevi
- Freckles
- Melanoma
Other websites:
- Spitz nevus – emedicine dermatology, the online textbook