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Histologic Features of Melanocytic Nevi in Older Patients
Author(s) -
Martinka M
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
journal of cutaneous pathology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.597
H-Index - 75
eISSN - 1600-0560
pISSN - 0303-6987
DOI - 10.1111/j.0303-6987.2005.320em.x
Subject(s) - medicine , dysplastic nevus , nevus , dermatology , melanocytic nevus , melanoma , atypia , lentigo maligna , pathology , superficial spreading melanoma , histology , cancer research
The histology of melanocytic nevi in elderly patients often differs from nevi in younger adults. Our hypothesis was that nevi in patients 3 60 yrs would demonstrate histologic patterns different from nevi in younger adults. Biopsies of nevi (n = 214) from 172 patients 3 60 yrs (mean age 69 ± 7 yrs) were examined by three dermatopathologists and a consensus diagnosis was rendered. Control specimens (n = 82) from 58 patients 20–40 yrs (mean age 31 ± 5 yrs) were evaluated. Compound melanocytic nevi were commoner in younger patients (37%) versus older patients (12%)(p < .0001). Junctional melanocytic nevi were more frequently diagnosed in older patients (10% versus 3%; p = .027) and a lentiginous, often heavily pigmented, growth pattern was common (12% of nevi) vs control group (3%; p = .028). Atypical (“dysplastic”) nevi had a similar frequency at all ages, however 12/214 nevi in elderly patients (6%) exhibited marked atypia with features suggesting melanoma in‐situ. We conclude that benign junctional nevi are relatively common in elderly patients and that a lentiginous, heavily pigmented growth pattern, typically associated with younger patients, is often seen in both junctional and compound nevi in this older age group. This pattern must be differentiated from dysplastic nevus and melanoma in‐situ, which they may clinically resemble.