Incidence of Nevi

Introduction Review of the pertinent literature1-9and standard textbooks of dermatology indicate that there are 2 views with regard to the treatment of pigmented nevi present on the palms of the hands, soles of the feet, and on the genitalia. Allen and Spitz,1-3Pack and Davis,4,12,15,16,20,25-27plus others5,10, 11,13,14,17,18feel that pigmented nevi on these locations should be prophylactically removed to avoid their future development into malignant melanomas; while Van Scott, et al.21believe that this is not practicable. Only a few studies19-21on a limited number of subjects have been accomplished with regard to the incidence of pigmented nevi on the palms, soles, and genitalia. It was therefore felt worthwhile to determine the number of pigmented nevi on these areas in a large group of otherwise healthy individuals. Methods and Materials Ten thousand males, 17 to 25 years of age, examined for enlistment