Spitz nevus

Spitz Nevus

Spitz nevus (pronounced: /spɪts 'ni:vəs/) is a type of skin lesion that typically occurs in children and young adults. It is named after the American pathologist Sophie Spitz, who first described it in 1948.

Etymology

The term "Spitz nevus" is derived from the name of the pathologist who first described this condition, Sophie Spitz. The word "nevus" (pronounced: /'ni:vəs/) is derived from the Latin word "naevus", which means "birthmark" or "mole".

Definition

A Spitz nevus is a benign melanocytic nevus, which means it is a non-cancerous growth that originates from melanocytes, the skin cells that produce the pigment melanin. Although it can resemble melanoma, a type of skin cancer, a Spitz nevus is not cancerous.

Symptoms

A Spitz nevus typically appears as a small, smooth, dome-shaped, pink or red bump on the skin. It can occur anywhere on the body, but it is most commonly found on the face, neck, and legs.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of a Spitz nevus is usually made by a dermatologist through a physical examination and a biopsy of the lesion. The biopsy sample is examined under a microscope by a pathologist to confirm the diagnosis.

Treatment

Treatment for a Spitz nevus usually involves surgical removal of the lesion to prevent any potential confusion with melanoma in the future. After removal, the lesion is typically examined under a microscope to confirm that it is a Spitz nevus and not a melanoma.

Related Terms

• Melanocytic nevus
• Melanoma
• Dermatologist
• Pathologist
• Biopsy

External links

• Medical encyclopedia article on Spitz nevus
• Wikipedia's article - Spitz nevus

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