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Vol. 111. Núm. 1.
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Vol. 111. Núm. 1.
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Spitz Nevus and Other Spitzoid Tumors in Children —Part 1: Clinical, Histopathologic, and Immunohistochemical Features
Nevo de Spitz y otros tumores spitzoides en la infancia. Parte 1: aspectos clínicos, histológicos e inmunohistoquímicos
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L. Sainz-Gaspara, J. Sánchez-Bernala, L. Noguera-Morela, A. Hernández-Martína, I. Colmenerob, A. Torreloa,
Autor para correspondencia
atorrelo@aedv.es

Corresponding author.
a Servicio de Dermatología, Hospital Infantil Universitario del Niño Jesús, Madrid, Spain
b Servicio de Anatomía Patológica, Hospital Infantil Universitario del Niño Jesús, Madrid, Spain
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Table 1. Clinical Features of Conventional Spitz Nevi and Atypical Spitz Tumors.
Table 2. Main Differential Diagnoses for Spitz Nevi.
Table 3. Dermatoscopic Patterns Present in Spitzoid lesions.
Table 4. Clinical Features of Conventional Spitz Nevi and Atypical Spitz Tumors.
Table 5. Patterns of Expression of Immunohistochemical Markers Used for Differential Diagnosis of Spitzoid Tumors.
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Abstract

A Spitz nevus is a melanocytic neoplasm of epithelioid and/or spindle cells that usually appears in childhood. These lesions are by nature benign, but their features can sometimes make them difficult to distinguish from melanomas. Spitzoid melanocytic lesions have been grouped into 3 types in recent decades: Spitz nevi, atypical Spitz tumors, and spitzoid melanomas. Atypical Spitz tumors are spitzoid melanocytic proliferations that have atypical histopathologic features that are insufficient to support a diagnosis of melanoma. The malignant potential of these lesions is at present uncertain. This review examines the clinical, dermoscopic, and histopathologic features of this group of lesions.

Keywords:
Spitz nevus
Spitzoid tumors
Resumen

El nevo de Spitz es una neoplasia melanocítica de células epitelioides y/o fusiformes que suele aparecer en la infancia. Su naturaleza es benigna, aunque en ocasiones puede mostrar unas características difíciles de distinguir del melanoma. En las últimas décadas se han clasificado las neoplasias melanocíticas spitzoides en tres tipos: nevus de Spitz, tumor de Spitz atípico y melanoma spitzoide. El tumor de Spitz atípico hace referencia a las neoplasias melanocíticas spitzoides que tienen unas características histopatológicas atípicas insuficientes para realizar el diagnóstico de melanoma y cuyo potencial maligno, actualmente, es incierto. Nuestro objetivo es revisar los aspectos clínicos, dermatoscópicos, histopatológicos e inmunohistoquímicos de este conjunto de tumores.

Palabras clave:
Nevo de Spitz
Tumores spitzoides
Texto completo
Introduction

A Spitz nevus is a melanocytic neoplasm formed of epithelioid or spindle cells described for the first time by Darier and Civatte.1 It was characterized in 1948 by Spitz using the term juvenile melanoma as a melanocytic tumor, present in childhood, with clinical and pathologic features similar to melanoma but with benign behavior.2 Subsequently, it was found to affect all age groups.3 From its first description until present, the lesion has been a controversial entity given its similarity to melanoma and the lack of consensus to establish either its diagnostic features or a strategy for clinical management.

Melanocytic neoplasms with a spitzoid morphology encompass a range of behaviors from benign to malignant. Over the last few decades, there has been a tendency to classify these lesions in 3 types, which are at times are hard to differentiate from one another: conventional Spitz nevus, atypical Spitz tumor, and spitzoid melanoma. This concept of intermediate category, denoted atypical Spitz tumor or of uncertain malignant potential, refers to those histological lesions with insufficient atypical characteristics to make diagnosis of melanoma.4–6 This category has been subject to much criticism. Some authors believe that there should be a clear distinction between benign and malignant tumors, and they affirm that the introduction of this term has led to confusion about the meaning of biologic behavior.7 However, recent articles suggest that many pathologists accept this concept of intermediate lesions8 and that there is a range of genetic mutations in these lesions (see part 2).

Epidemiology

The overall incidence of Spitz nevi is not well documented, but it is thought to lie between 1.4 and 7 cases per 100 000 persons per year.9–11 These lesions represent fewer than 1% of melanocytic tumors that are excised during childhood.12

Spitz nevi generally appear during childhood or in young adults, although they can affect all age groups. They are extremely uncommon in individuals aged over 30 years.10 Congenital cases, present at birth or presenting in the first 24 months of life, are exceptional.13 One study of 349 patients found that 40% of lesions appear in children under 15 years and 77% present at ages below 30 years.14 The risk that a lesion with a spitzoid appearance is in fact melanoma increases with increasing age, whereas the probability that it is a Spitz nevus decreases.

There is generally no difference in incidence by sex, although between 15 and 30 years, there is a slight predominance in females (3:1). It has been suggested that this difference could be associated with a possible hormonal influence.3,12,15,16

Spitz nevi are more common in whites than in Asian or African individuals.16,17

Clinical FeaturesSpitz Nevus

Spitz nevi generally appear in childhood as a solitary well-defined, dome-shaped papule or mass, with a solid consistency and a color ranging from flesh color, pink, red, to brown (Fig. 1). The color, often reddish, is due to the low melanin content and high vascularization, although 10% of lesions are pigmented (Fig. 2).3 The lesions grow rapidly for a period of 3 to 6 months and, although their size is generally less than 5-6 mm, they can reach a diameter of 1-2 cm. After this phase of rapid growth, the lesion can remain static for years, showing a progressive transformation until acquiring the aspect of a common melanocytic nevus or involving until completely disappearing.18,19 In adults, the lesion is usually pigmented with a color between brown and black.

Figure 1.

Clinical features of classic Spitz nevus. A and B, Reddish, well-defined, dome-shaped tumor, located typically on the facial region or lower limbs.

(0.12MB).
Figure 2.

Clinical features of hyperpigmented Spitz nevus. A, Flat pigmented melanocytic lesion. B, Partially pigmented, well-delimited and dome-shaped melanocytic lesion.

(0.13MB).

Although the lesion can be located anywhere, including the mucosae, in children there is a predilection for the head and neck (37%), whereas in young adults it is preferentially located on the lower limbs (28%).20,21

Reed Nevus or Pigmented Spindle-Cell Nevus

Reed nevus was described in 1975 as a benign, highly pigmented, melanocytic lesion, with a dark or black color and a size generally less than 8 mm (Fig. 3).22 These lesions usually present on the legs of older children and adolescents, more frequently on the thighs in young women and on the trunk in adults.23 Some authors consider that Reed nevus is a subtype of Spitz nevus whereas others consider it as an independent entity. Detection may have increased with the introduction of dermatoscopy.18

Figure 3.

Clinical features of Reed nevus or pigmented spindle-cell nevus. A and B, Heavily pigmented melanocytic lesion, with a color between dark brown and black.

(0.11MB).
Multiple Spitz Nevi

Multiple Spitz nevi are characterized by the presence of 2 or more Spitz nevi in the same patient. This presentation is uncommon and, depending on the distribution of the lesions, the condition can be divided into 2 subgroups: grouped or disseminated.24 Multiple grouped Spitz nevi can develop over a café-au-lait spot25 (Fig. 4), on normal skin, or, less frequently, on a hypopigmented background. When multiple Spitz nevi appear with a disseminated pattern, if they develop over a short period of time, they are known as multiple eruptive Spitz nevi. Their etiology is unknown, although it has been postulated that their appearance could be related to a genetic predisposition or trigger factors. Cases have been reported after sunburn, perioperative stress, pregnancy, drug abuse, Addison disease, chemotherapy, and allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.24

Figure 4.

Multiple Spitz nevi. A and B, Multiple classic or hyperpigmented Spitz nevi, grouped on a cafe-au-lait spot distributed on the upper right quadrant of the back.

(0.12MB).
Desmoplastic Spitz Nevus

Desmoplastic Spitz nevus is a rare subtype, more common in individuals in late adolescence or in adults than in children. Clinically, lesions present as papules with limited or no melanocytic pigmentation, poorly defined borders, and woody consistency. They are most frequently located on the limbs.26

Atypical Spitz Tumor

Atypical Spitz tumors are usually larger (> 10 mm) than classic Spitz nevi and, unlike the latter lesions, are usually asymmetric, generally with irregular borders, and the surface may be ulcerated3,6 (Table 1) (Fig. 5). In a retrospective study of 72 spitzoid neoplasms in patients aged between 1 and 18 years, 7% were found to be atypical Spitz tumors.27

Table 1.

Clinical Features of Conventional Spitz Nevi and Atypical Spitz Tumors.

Clinical Features  Classic Spitz Nevus  Atypical Spitz Tumor 
Age  < 10 years  > 10 years 
Site  Face, neck, and extremities  Trunk 
Size  < 10 mm (generally 5-6 mm)  > 10 mm 
Borders  Well-defined and regular  Poorly-defined and irregular 
Surface  Smooth  Irregular, ulcerated 
Color  Pink, reddish  Irregular 

Adapted from Luo et al.3

Figure 5.

Clinical features of atypical Spitz nevus. A and B, Variegated and asymmetric melanocytic lesion.

(0.14MB).
Spitzoid Melanoma

Melanoma is uncommon in children; however, most melanomas diagnosed in children are spitzoid melanomas. These are an uncommon variant of melanoma that, in pathology study, may resemble Spitz nevi. In general, these are usually amelanotic or pigmented lesions with different colors that show a progressive growth; they can grow to more than 1 cm in diameter, often with ulceration. The lesions are usually located on the head, neck, or limbs. Their biological behavior is similar to conventional melanoma, although more favorable outcomes have been observed in spitzoid melanomas in children under 10 years of age or prepubescent children.28,29

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of Spitz nevus can be difficult given its similarity with other skin tumors and differential diagnosis is necessary (Table 2).

Table 2.

Main Differential Diagnoses for Spitz Nevi.

Conventional or hypopigmented Spitz nevus  Pyogenic granuloma 
  Mastocytoma 
  Hemangioma 
  Angiofibroma 
  Juvenile xanthogranuloma 
  Molluscum contagiosum 
  Amelanotic melanoma 
Pigmented Spitz nevus  Congenital and acquired melanocytic nevus 
  Melanoma 
Desmoplastic Spitz Nevus  Keloid 
  Dermatofibroma 
Multiple Spitz Nevi  Metastatic melanoma 

The introduction of dermatoscopy has enabled greater diagnostic precision for Spitz nevi given the identification of a variety of patterns that provide additional information about their morphology (Table 3).30,31 Although the identification of these patterns has contributed to improved tumor detection, none of them are specific to Spitz nevi and they can also be present in melanoma, and so careful interpretation is of great importance.32

Table 3.

Dermatoscopic Patterns Present in Spitzoid lesions.

Pattern in Pigmented Spitzoid Lesions  Description 
Starburst pattern  Central pigmentation with homogeneous greyish, blueish, and black color with regular radial projections (streaks or pseudopods) at the periphery 
Globular pattern  Central blue-black pigmentation and presence of regularly distributed round or oval structures of brown-black color at the periphery 
Homogeneous pattern  Diffuse, brown, grey-blue, or grey-black pigmentation in the absence of other structures 
Atypical or multicomponent pattern  Uneven distribution of colors and structures 
Reticular pattern  Pigment network similar to that present in acquired melanocytic nevi 
Reticular depigmentation  Network of hypopigmentation (white lines surrounding pigmented globules) 
Pattern in Hypopigmented Spitzoid Lesions  Description 
Punctiform vascular pattern  Dotted vessels with regular distribution 
Glomerular vascular pattern  Tortuous or coiled capillaries 
Vascular pattern with hairpin vessels  Looped or bending vessels 
Vascular starburst pattern  Regular radial vascular lines at the periphery 
Homogeneous pinkish color  Pinkish tone with or without remnants of brownish pigmentation in absence of other structures 
Reticular depigmentation  Whitish network surrounding the vessels 
Chrysalis structures  Linear, orthogonal, or disordered lines of bright white color. These can be seen with dermatoscopy under polarized light, associated with the previous pattern 

Adapted from Lallas et al.31

Classic Spitz nevi have been more frequently associated with the presence of a dotted vascular pattern. This consists of dotted and monomorphic vessels, distributed regularly over a pinkish background (Fig. 6). This pattern is present in 51% of Spitz nevi. In pigmented Spitz nevi, a starburst or globular pattern is more frequently observed. This pattern is characterized by a homogeneous central pigmentation with colors ranging between greyish, blueish, and black, with radial projections at the periphery in the case of the starburst pattern (Fig. 7) and round or oval structures of brown-black color, distributed regularly at the periphery in the case of a globular pattern; these patterns are present in 51% and 17% of Spitz nevi, respectively.30,31,33 Another pattern, initially associated with melanoma, but which is present also in Spitz nevi, is the reticular depigmentation pattern, which consists intersecting lines surrounding the pigmented globules or vessels.32 This latter pattern may present in association with a dotted or comma vascular pattern, or the globular pattern.34,35 It is interesting to highlight that if the globular pattern is not associated with reticular depigmentation, it is not characteristic of Spitz nevi, as these regular round or oval structures at the periphery are frequently observed in melanocytic nevi in children.27,36 Other patterns, such as the homogeneous one, which is characterized by brown or black pigmentation in absence of other structures, or the reticular pattern, in which a network of pigment is observed similar to other acquired melanocytic nevi, may be present in the natural course of Spitz nevi. A sequential course has been described in which Spitz nevi may go through a series of different dermatoscopic patterns, with a progressive transformation from a globular pattern to a starburst one, and even to a homogeneous pattern before involution and spontaneous disappearance in more than 50% of cases.18,37–39 The multicomponent pattern is characterized by an uneven distribution of colors and structures.33,40 In a study that assessed the dermatoscopic features of atypical Spitz tumors, it was observed that most lesions showed this pattern and 16.4% showed an overall dotted vascular pattern.41

Figure 6.

Dermatoscopic patterns of classic Spitz nevus. A, Vascular pattern with dotted and monomorphic vessels, distributed regularly over a pink background. B, Homogenous pink vascular pattern showing a pinkish tone in absence of other structures.

(0.09MB).
Figure 7.

Dermatoscopic patterns of Reed nevus. Starburst pattern in which black, homogeneous, central pigmentation can be seen with regular radial projections at the periphery.

(0.06MB).

Although dermatoscopy is a useful technique, it is not always sufficient to differentiate between Spitz nevus and melanoma. The symmetry of the arrangement of structures and colors throughout the lesion is characteristic of the spitzoid pattern and should suggest to us diagnosis of Spitz nevus, whereas asymmetry, presence of a multicomponent pattern, or visualization of chrysalis, although potentially present in Spitz nevi, force us to consider melanoma.31 In a case-control study conducted in children in which dermatoscopic features were compared according to age group (0-6, 7-12, and 13-18 years), it was observed that the vascular and globular patterns were more prevalent in preschool children, whereas the starburst or multicomponent pattern predominated in children of school age, and a reticular depigmentation pattern was observed more frequently in adolescents.27 However, a systematic review that included 15 case-control studies and case series with patients of all ages, but with more adults than children, concluded that the type of pattern was not associated with the age of the patient.31

HistopathologySpitz Nevus

Spitz nevi are symmetric, well-delimited, melanocytic lesions, generally with a compound presentation although like other melanocytic nevi, they can be located at the dermal-epidermal junction or within the dermis. They are characterized by the presence of epithelioid (rounded or polygonal) or spindle-shaped melanocytes with enlarged regular nuclei with peripheral margination. These show abundant cytoplasm and prominent central nucleoli. The cells are distributed in the form of uniform nests with a vertical orientation and, occasionally, a pagetoid spread of isolated melanocytes can be present at the uppermost layers of the epidermis or the junction. The dermal component matures with depth and, to a lesser extent, towards the periphery. The epidermis can be preserved or show regular hyperplasia; the dermal vessels are usually dilated and clefts can be seen among the melanocyte nests.14,41–44 In the epidermis or papillary dermis, there is often a presence of eosinophilic globules, which contain proteins of the basal membrane; these structures are also known as Kamino bodies.45 They are characteristic of Spitz nevi, but they can also be present in melanoma, although in this latter case, they are not usually very big or well formed.46 Lymphocytic inflammatory infiltrate can also be observed in the base and perivascular region. Typical mitosis can also occasionally appear (generally less than 2/mm2) in the mid or upper part of the lesion; this finding is rare in the deep dermis and atypical mitosis is not observed. The pigment can be granulated and located in the superficial part of the lesion14,41–44 (Table 4) (Figs. 810).

Table 4.

Clinical Features of Conventional Spitz Nevi and Atypical Spitz Tumors.

Spitz Nevus  Spitzoid Melanoma 
Symmetry  Asymmetry 
Well delimited  Poorly delimited 
Intact or hyperplastic epidermis  Epidermis can be ulcerated 
Kamino bodies  Absence of Kamino bodies 
Maturation with depth  Absence of maturation with depth 
Limited pagetoid spread  Extensive pagetoid spread 
Fewer than than 2 mitosis/mm2  Frequent mitosis in the dermis; these can be atypical 
Low nucleus/cytoplasm ratio  High nucleus/cytoplasm ratio 
Nuclei increased in size, but absence of nuclear pleomorphism  Cellular pleomorphism, high degree of cytological atypia 
Figure 8.

Typical Spitz nevus.

(0.73MB).
Figure 9.

Typical Spitz nevus.

(0.71MB).
Figure 10.

Intradermal Spitz nevus. Although most Spitz nevi are compound lesions, a small portion of them can be limited to the dermal-epidermal junction. Cytological features, however, are similar to those of compound Spitz nevi. A, Under low magnification, of note is an intradermal lesion composed of large blocks of spindle-shaped nevus cells. B and C, Under higher magnification, spindle cells can be observed without atypia and limited cytoplasmatic melanin pigment, as well as presence of Kamino bodies.

(0.8MB).
Atypical Spitz Tumors

Atypical Spitz tumors do not exhibit all the typical histopathological features of Spitz nevi but they also do not meet the criteria for melanoma. Atypical Spitz tumors show at least 1 of the following features: asymmetry, poor lateral delimitation, greater extension downwards, lack of maturation in the dermis, ulceration, absence of Kamino bodies, presence of mitosis in the dermis (generally more than 2-6 mitosis/mm2), and abundant isolated melanocytes in the superficial dermis instead of nests3,47,48 (Fig. 11).

Figure 11.

Spitzoid tumor. A, Proliferation of epithelioid melanocytes with a central nodular area that contains atypical melanocytes (B) and frequent mitosis (C). The central nodular area shows increased Ki67 expression (D).

(0.56MB).

The presence of a high number of mitosis at depth, asymmetry, high-grade cytological atypia, and ulceration are considered histopathological criteria that correlate with a higher risk of metastasis.47

Pigmented Spindle-Cell Nevus or Reed Nevus

Pigmented spindle-cell nevus is a small, well-defined, melanocytic lesion consisting of a symmetric proliferation of spindle cells with intense pigmentation. The cells are present in rounded nests in a vertical arrangement or a horizontal one at the dermal-epidermal junction. The cells are usually smaller than the spindle cells of most conventional Spitz nevi (Fig. 12). Although mitotic activity may be present, atypical mitosis figures are not usually seen. If they are, we can rule out spindle-cell melanoma, which is extremely uncommon in childhood.44

Figure 12.

Reed nevus. A, Proliferation of spindle-shaped nevus cells without atypia arranged in clumps at the dermal-epidermal junction. B, C, and D, Images showing absence of atypia and abundant intracytoplasmic melanin pigment and dermal melanophages.

(0.86MB).
Desmoplastic Spitz Nevus

Desmoplastic Spitz nevus is an intradermal proliferation of spindle-cell melanocytes surrounded by abundant thickened collagen strands that form nests at the surface of the skin. The cells are more widely dispersed at the periphery. Mitosis can be found in the superficial parts of the lesion but not in deeper layers. Differential diagnosis should include desmoplastic melanoma.44,49

Combined Spitz Nevus

Combined Spitz nevus is characterized by the presence of 2 different subtypes of nevi: Spitz nevus and another type of nevus, such as acquired melanocytic nevus or blue nevus.44

Recurrent or Persistent Spitz Nevus

Recurrence of Spitz nevus after partial or complete excision can resemble melanoma; histological criteria for classic Spitz nevus overlap in terms of presence of asymmetry and pagetoid spread over scarred areas. Diagnosis can be difficult, particularly when multifocal recurrence occurs. It can be useful to reassess the initial biopsy material.50,51

Halo Spitz Nevus

The architecture of Spitz nevus is observed with conspicuous inflammatory lymphocytic infiltrate. Clinically, the halo is manifest as erythema, an increase in size, or pruritus at the site of the Spitz nevus; the lesion is usually excised before it reveals the depigmentation halo.44

Pagetoid Spitz Nevus

Pagetoid Spitz nevus is characterized by abundant isolated melanocytes with intradermal pagetoid spread; it can be difficult to distinguish this lesion from in situ melanoma.52,53

Tubular Spitz Nevus

Tubular Spitz nevus is a rare variant of Spitz nevus with a tubular appearance. Intradermal nodules are arranged around an optically empty center. These nodules are composed of the epithelioid cells of the nevus. The lesion can be associated with an intense inflammatory infiltrate.14,44,54

Several theories have been put forward to explain the tubular appearance. Initially the tubular form was considered the product of apoptosis of the central cells of the nevus.54 Subsequently, it was proposed to be an artefact of retraction after fixing in formaldehyde rather than a true variant of Spitz nevus.55

Balloon Cell Spitz Nevus

Balloon cell Spitz nevi are characterized by the presence of large cells with vacuolated cytoplasm and small basophil nuclei, called balloon cells, in addition to conventional Spitz nevus cells. Balloon cells account for at least 50% of the cells in the nevus.56

Myxoid or Hyalinizing Spitz Nevus

Myxoid or hyalinizing Spitz nevi occur when myxoid or hyalinizing changes occur in a Spitz nevus.57,58

Plexiform Spitz Nevus

Plexiform Spitz nevi exhibit the architecture of Spitz nevus with melanocytes that form nests with a conspicuous fascicular dermal growth. Some authors have considered them as a type of atypical Spitz tumor.59

Other Variants

Other variants include polypoid Spitz nevus and verrucous Spitz nevus, both of which are characterized by a markedly exophytic growth pattern.60 Angiomatoid Spitz nevus, originally considered a variant of desmoplastic Spitz nevus, is a classic Spitz nevus with notable vascular proliferation.44,61

Spitzoid Melanoma

As mentioned earlier, spitzoid melanomas can closely resemble Spitz nevi, with nests of epithelioid or spindle-shaped melanocytes associated with a larger number of atypical features than atypical Spitz tumors, such as poor delimitation, asymmetry, extensive pagetoid spread, dermal growth with maturation with depth and no or limited atypical mitoses, as well as high-grade cellular atypia (Table 4).28,29

Immunohistochemistry

Immunohistochemical markers are used as a complementary tool in cases when histopathological diagnosis of Spitz nevus is in doubt, with the aim of better differentiating between Spitz nevus on the one hand and atypical Spitz tumor and melanoma on the other (Table 5). Although immunohistochemistry is useful for identifying malignant characteristics, interpretation can be subjective according to the pathologist.

  • MIB1: This is a monoclonal antibody that reacts with the protein Ki-67, a nuclear protein implicated in regulation of the cell cycle. It is a marker of proliferation and is more strongly expressed in nuclei of melanomas and atypical Spitz tumors compared with Spitz nevi. Expression decreases progressively from malignant lesions to benign ones, with expression in 37% of melanomas, 10% of atypical Spitz tumors, 5% of Spitz nevi, and 0.5% of conventional nevi.62,63

  • HMB45: This is a marker of maturation with depth. It is expressed in superficial areas with a decreasing gradient towards the base of the lesion in Spitz nevi while it is destructured with loss of gradient (more uniform distribution, persisting in the dermis) in melanoma. The pattern of expression in atypical Spitz tumors has not been established and a negative result does not rule out diagnosis of melanoma.64

  • p53: This protein is expressed more weakly in Spitz nevi than in melanoma, although the expression pattern is not constant.65

  • p21 and cyclin D1: These proteins are overexpressed in Spitz nevi while their expression is decreased in nonspitzoid melanoma.66

  • p16: This protein regulates the cell cycle, coding for the CDKN2A gene, located on chromosome 9p. It shows more intense reactivity in the dermis in Spitz nevi than in melanoma. It stains intensely in desmoplastic Spitz nevi, unlike desmoplastic melanoma, where it is usually absent.67–69 Three patterns have been identified in spitzoid melanocytic tumors:

    • Homogeneous expression: this pattern is usually observed in Spitz nevi and represents loss of heterozygosity at chromosome 9p or an intact chromosome 9p.

    • Complete loss of expression: this is common in melanoma and corresponds to loss of homozygosity at chromosome 9p, a point mutation in CDKN2A, or methylation of the CDKN2A promotor.

    • Heterozygous loss of expression: this can be observed in compound tumors with mixed clones. It is doubtful whether this is of use for differentiating between atypical Spitz tumors and melanoma, as loss in atypical Spitz tumors can be very variable; 67% of lesions with loss of heterozygosity at 9p21 show expression of p16, whereas those with loss of homozygosity do not express it.70,71

  • E-cadherin: This is an antigen that is diffusely expressed in Spitz nevi and other benign lesions.

  • CD99: This is a transmembrane glycoprotein more often expressed in melanoma (56%) than in Spitz nevus (5%). In melanoma, staining can be diffuse, unlike in Spitz nevus where the pattern is generally focal when expressed.72

  • MART1: This is a melanocytic differentiation antigen that is expressed both in Spitz nevus and in melanoma.73

  • S100: Weak staining in Spitz nevi compared with melanoma.74

  • S100A6: Staining is more intense and diffuse in Spitz nevus, with a patchy pattern or negativity in Reed nevus, whereas the pattern is weaker and uneven in melanoma.75

Table 5.

Patterns of Expression of Immunohistochemical Markers Used for Differential Diagnosis of Spitzoid Tumors.

Antigen  Spitz Nevus  Melanoma 
Ki-67  Limited expression (5%), junction and papillary dermis  Extensively expressed (37%), diffuse 
HMB45  Superficial expression, less intense with depth  Loss of gradient, expression maintained with depth 
p16  Intense expression  Expression is often lost 
p53  Low expression  High expression 
E-cadherin  Diffuse expression (also in other benign lesions)  Expression is lost 
S100  Weak expression  Intense expression 
S100A6  Intense and diffuse expression  Weak and uneven expression 
Cyclin D1  Intense expression  Low expression in nonspitzoid melanoma 
p21  Intense expression  Low expression in nonspitzoid melanoma 
CD99  Focal expression  Diffuse expression 
Conflicts of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.

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Please cite this article as: Sainz-Gaspar L, Sánchez-Bernal J, Noguera-Morel L, Hernández-Martín A, Colmenero I, Torrelo A. Nevo de Spitz y otros tumores spitzoides en la infancia. Parte 1: aspectos clínicos, histológicos e inmunohistoquímicos. Actas Dermosifiliogr. 2020;111:7–19.

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