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

The spindle and epithelioid cell nevi occur in adults rarely but should not be confused with malignant melanomas. One criteria for differentiation is the homogeneity of the spindle cell nevus. Twenty-six of these lesions in adults were essentially similar histologically to those in children. Clinically the distribution also compares but the lesions tended to be more pigmented and often feared to be malignant. The nevus may arise de novo in adult life or may have been present since childhood and then grow and increase in pigmentation. In no instance was spontaneous ulceration present. The pure spindle cell nevus is the most frequent whereas pure spindle cell melanomas are rare. Pure epithelioid cell nevi were not found in adults. Adequate local excision is the treatment of choice. Local recurrence may follow inadequate excision but is not evidence of malignancy.