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Skin-Melanocytic Tumors
Junctional nevus
Last major update: November 2008 - next update November 2009
Revised: 18 September 2009
Author: Nat Pernick, M.D., PathologyOutlines.com, Inc.
Copyright: (c) 2002-2009, PathologyOutlines.com, Inc.
Definition
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● Melanocytic proliferation restricted to basal epidermis (junctional area)
● Earliest stage of intraepidermal melanocytic proliferation
Terminology
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Lentigo simplex:
● Also called lentigo, lentigines
● Often in acral sites
● Precursor lesion to nevi, with proliferation of melanocytes (but no nests) in epidermal basal layer along rete ridges (DermNet NZ)
Multiple lentigines:
● Associated with Peutz-Jeghers syndrome, centrofacial lentiginosis, Moynahan’s syndrome, LEOPARD syndrome, Carney’s syndrome, xeroderma pigmentosum
Epidemiology
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● All ages, usually non-sun exposed areas, such as palms and soles (J Am Acad Dermatol 2007;56:825)
● Melanomas may arise from junctional nevi
Case reports
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● With mastocytoma (Am J Dermatopathol 2004;26:478)
Treatment and prognosis
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● None needed; excision for cosmetic reasons, laser for flat lesions (Br J Dermatol 2003;148:80)
Clinical description
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● Small, flat or slightly elevated, nonhairy, deeply pigmented
Clinical images
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Various images
Dermoscopy
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● Regular pigmented network of brown and uniform color, more prominent in the center, with gradual fading to the borders (reticular pattern)
● May have black or brown globules and dots regularly distributed inside the lesion (usually in central region)
Micro description
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● Rounded nests of melanocytes / nevus cells on epidermal side of dermoepidermal junction, originating from tips of rete ridges
● Variable lentiginous melanocytic hyperplasia
Micro images
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Junctional nests
Videos
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End of Skin-Melanocytic Tumors > Junctional nevus
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