Epithelioid and Spindle Cell Nevus (Spitz Nevus)

A benign compound nevus occurring most often in children before puberty, composed of spindle and epithelioid cells located mainly in the dermis, sometimes in association with large atypical cells and multinucleate cells, and having a close histopathological resemblance to malignant melanoma. The tumor presents as a smooth to slightly scaly, round to oval, raised, firm papule or nodule, ranging in color from pink-tan to purplish red, often with surface telangiectasia. (Dorland, 27th ed)

Also Known As:

Networked: 29 relevant articles (1 outcomes, 2 trials/studies)

Relationship Network

Disease Context: Research Results

Related Diseases

1.	Neoplasms (Cancer)
2.	Melanoma (Melanoma, Malignant)
3.	Nevus (Nevi)
4.	Blue Nevus
5.	Pigmented Nevus (Melanocytic Nevus)

Experts

1.	Hoang, Mai P: 2 articles (02/2005 - 10/2003)
2.	Li, Wen: 1 article (05/2014)
3.	Zhu, Cheng-Yao: 1 article (05/2014)
4.	Liu, Zhen: 1 article (05/2014)
5.	Li, Shun-Fan: 1 article (05/2014)
6.	Fan, Yi-Ming: 1 article (05/2014)
7.	Meyer, Rebecca: 1 article (02/2014)
8.	Israel, Steven A: 1 article (02/2014)
9.	Gaudi, Sudeep: 1 article (02/2014)
10.	Yachik, Theodore R: 1 article (02/2014)

Drugs and Biologics

Drugs and Important Biological Agents (IBA) related to Epithelioid and Spindle Cell Nevus:

1.	ParaffinIBA 09/01/1990 - "Although a few melanosomes in the tumor cells seen in electron microscopic examination provided crucial proof for the diagnosis of Spitz nevus, the positive reactivity to S-100 protein in ordinary formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues proved to be very useful in the differentiation of Spitz nevus from tumors of histiocytic origin, especially those of the mononuclear phagocytic system." 03/01/2004 - "This study investigated the ability of high-resolution array-based CGH to serve as a diagnostic test in distinguishing Spitz nevus and melanoma using DNA isolated from formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded samples. " 01/01/1987 - "The lectin-binding patterns of primary malignant melanoma, nevocellular nevus, and Spitz nevus were studied on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded sections using a series of biotinylated lectins--concanavalin A (ConA), Ricinus communis agglutinin-1 (RCA1), dolichos biflorus agglutinin (DBA), soybean agglutinin (SBA), maclura pomifera agglutinin (MPA), peanut agglutinin (PNA), wheat germ agglutinin (WGA), and Ulex europeus agglutinin-1(UEA1)--and employing the avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex method. "
2.	Formaldehyde (Formol)FDA Link 09/01/1990 - "Although a few melanosomes in the tumor cells seen in electron microscopic examination provided crucial proof for the diagnosis of Spitz nevus, the positive reactivity to S-100 protein in ordinary formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues proved to be very useful in the differentiation of Spitz nevus from tumors of histiocytic origin, especially those of the mononuclear phagocytic system." 03/01/2004 - "This study investigated the ability of high-resolution array-based CGH to serve as a diagnostic test in distinguishing Spitz nevus and melanoma using DNA isolated from formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded samples. " 01/01/1987 - "The lectin-binding patterns of primary malignant melanoma, nevocellular nevus, and Spitz nevus were studied on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded sections using a series of biotinylated lectins--concanavalin A (ConA), Ricinus communis agglutinin-1 (RCA1), dolichos biflorus agglutinin (DBA), soybean agglutinin (SBA), maclura pomifera agglutinin (MPA), peanut agglutinin (PNA), wheat germ agglutinin (WGA), and Ulex europeus agglutinin-1(UEA1)--and employing the avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex method. "
3.	S100 Proteins (S 100 Protein)IBA 09/01/1990 - "A firm, dark reddish, smooth surfaced nodule on the forearm of a 16-year-old boy was diagnosed as a Spitz nevus with the aid of a strong positive reactivity to S-100 protein. " 09/01/1990 - "Intradermal Spitz nevus differentiated from reticulohistiocytic granuloma by immunoreactivity to S-100 protein." 09/01/1990 - "Although a few melanosomes in the tumor cells seen in electron microscopic examination provided crucial proof for the diagnosis of Spitz nevus, the positive reactivity to S-100 protein in ordinary formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues proved to be very useful in the differentiation of Spitz nevus from tumors of histiocytic origin, especially those of the mononuclear phagocytic system."
4.	DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid)IBA 07/01/1995 - "The diploid pattern of the DNA content as well as the good prognosis could support the idea that "malignant Spitz nevus" fits within the spectrum of Spitz's nevus." 08/01/1990 - "Our results suggest that cytofluorometric analysis of cellular DNA content reflects the biologic behavior more sensitively than do conventional clinical or histologic criteria, and that it serves as a useful aid for the differentiation of Spitz nevus from malignant melanoma." 08/01/1990 - "Cellular DNA content was measured for the purpose of differentiating Spitz nevus from malignant melanoma using the cytofluorometric technique. " 08/01/1990 - "Use of DAPI cytofluorometric analysis of cellular DNA content to differentiate Spitz nevus from malignant melanoma." 03/01/2004 - "This study investigated the ability of high-resolution array-based CGH to serve as a diagnostic test in distinguishing Spitz nevus and melanoma using DNA isolated from formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded samples. "
5.	Insulin (Novolin)FDA Link 03/01/2010 - "The purpose of this study was to ascertain the utility of the RAF/RAS mutational status as a diagnostic adjunct in lesions with histologic features that deviate from a typical Spitz nevus and, to examine expression of Insulin growth factor binding protein 7 (IGFBP7), a tumor suppressor acting through autocrine/paracrine pathways to inhibit BRAF-MEK-ERK signaling, in the same. "
6.	Carrier Proteins (Binding Protein)IBA 03/01/2010 - "The purpose of this study was to ascertain the utility of the RAF/RAS mutational status as a diagnostic adjunct in lesions with histologic features that deviate from a typical Spitz nevus and, to examine expression of Insulin growth factor binding protein 7 (IGFBP7), a tumor suppressor acting through autocrine/paracrine pathways to inhibit BRAF-MEK-ERK signaling, in the same. "
7.	Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen (PCNA)IBA 06/01/1995 - "Expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen in Spitz nevus." 08/01/1993 - "Proliferative activity in Spitz nevus (SN) was determined using proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) immunostaining and by assessing the mitotic rate. " 08/01/1993 - "Proliferative activities in Spitz nevus compared with melanocytic nevus and malignant melanoma using expression of PCNA/cyclin and mitotic rate."
8.	CyclinsIBA 04/01/1999 - "Unexpectedly, a relatively high number of cyclin D1-positive cells (i.e., >10%) was also found in all cases of Spitz nevus. " 08/01/1993 - "Proliferative activities in Spitz nevus compared with melanocytic nevus and malignant melanoma using expression of PCNA/cyclin and mitotic rate."
9.	Melanins (Melanin)IBA 09/01/1990 - "The excised lesion was histologically diagnosed as a Spitz nevus, composed mainly of spindle-shaped melanocytes containing large amounts of melanin pigment. " 01/01/1979 - "Multiple tumors with the aspect of nevus Spitz in a 35-year old woman were histologically diagnosed by means of melanin impregnation methods as "amelanotic nevus-cell nevi with overlying vitiligo". "
10.	tebufenozide (Mimic)IBA 05/01/2011 - "A Spitz nevus can mimic a melanoma both clinically and histologically. " 01/01/2004 - "Hyalinizing Spitz nevus is a benign lesion whose histologic features may mimic dermatofibroma, desmoplastic cellular blue nevus, metastatic carcinoma, and malignant melanoma. "