Skin melanocytic tumor
Nevi
Halo nevus
Author: Christopher S. Hale, M.D.
Last author update: 1 April 2013
Last staff update: 4 December 2024 (update in progress)
Copyright: 2003-2024, PathologyOutlines.com, Inc.
PubMed Search: halo nevus[title]
Table of Contents
Definition / general | Terminology | Epidemiology | Sites | Clinical features | Treatment | Clinical images | Microscopic (histologic) description | Microscopic (histologic) images | Differential diagnosisCite this page: Hale CS. Halo nevus. PathologyOutlines.com website. https://www.pathologyoutlines.com/topic/skintumormelanocytichalonevus.html. Accessed December 28th, 2024.
Definition / general
- Nevus surrounded by zone of hypopigmented skin (eMedicine: Halo nevus)
Terminology
- Also called leukoderma acquisitum centrifugum, Sutton nevus (Am J Dermatopathol 2003;25:349)
Epidemiology
- 1% of population before adulthood, no racial or gender predilection (J Am Acad Dermatol 2012;67:582)
Sites
- Back, followed by head / neck are most common sites (J Am Acad Dermatol 2012;67:582)
Clinical features
- Single or multiple
- Usually due to regression caused by cell mediated immunity, or less commonly humoral immunity or granulomatous inflammation (Am J Dermatopathol 2008;30:233)
- No fibrosis, in contrast to melanoma (J Cutan Pathol 2007;34:301)
- Seen in 18% of Turner syndrome patients (J Am Acad Dermatol 2004;51:354)
- May persist for decades (J Am Acad Dermatol 2012;67:582)
- Note: classify based on nevus cell population because halo phenomenon occurs in various nevus types (J Cutan Pathol 1995;22:342)
Treatment
- Observation, excision (for cosmetic reasons) or laser for facial lesions to induce repigmentation (J Cosmet Laser Ther 2007;9:245)
Clinical images
Images hosted on other servers:
Normal mole and halo nevus
Depigmentation around nevi on back
Microscopic (histologic) description
- Residual melanocytes with heavy infiltration by lymphocytes and histiocytes that destroy pigment containing cells
Microscopic (histologic) images
Contributed by Angel Fernandez-Flores, M.D., Ph.D.
Various images
CD3 (T cells)
CD20 (B cells)
Melan A
Images hosted on other servers:
Early regression
CD8+ T cells
