Clinicopathological features of melanocytic nevi and their correlation to cutaneous melanoma among patients attending King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Melanocytic nevi (MN) pose diagnostic difficulty due to their heterogeneous clinical, biological and molecular characteristics. Their recognition is also important because cutaneous melanomas are known to arise in pre-existing MN.

Aim: This retrospective study aims to examine the clinical features and histopathological types of MN among patients attending King Abdulaziz University Hospital between January 2000 and December 2017. It also aims to examine the correlation of their number to cutaneous melanoma.

Materials and Methods: All biopsy specimen data of pigmented skin lesions were collected through an electronic search of the Anatomic Pathology archives. Age, gender and site distribution and histological features were studied for different MN and their relation to cutaneous melanoma if associated.

Results: MN were most common in the third decade of life affecting females more than males. The most frequent anatomic location was the head region, 176 (45.3%), with face being most frequent site, 45 (25.5%). Histologically the most common MN was intradermal type accounting for 217 (56%). Two dysplastic nevi and one congenital nevus was associated with cutaneous melanoma.

Conclusion: MN most commonly affected patients in their third decade of life. Females were more affected than males. Histologically most MN were of intradermal type and were rarely associated with cutaneous melanoma.

Keywords: cutaneous, melanocytic, intradermal, congenital melanoma