Spitz Nevus
A usually benign fast-growing mole most common in children and young adults
Quick Facts
- Type: Benign pigmented skin growth (mole)
- Most common in: Children and young adults
- Appearance: Smooth, dome-shaped, pink or reddish-brown bump
- Key point: Benign but can resemble melanoma
Overview
A Spitz nevus is a type of mole that is usually benign (non-cancerous) but is notable for growing quickly and for sometimes resembling melanoma under the microscope. It is most common in children and young adults, though it can appear at any age. It often looks like a smooth, dome-shaped bump that is pink, red, or reddish-brown.
Because a Spitz nevus can grow rapidly and share some features with melanoma, doctors often evaluate it carefully and may recommend removing it to confirm the diagnosis. The large majority of Spitz nevi are harmless. The main goal of evaluation is to be certain a lesion is a true, benign Spitz nevus and not a melanoma, especially in adults.
Symptoms
A Spitz nevus typically appears as a distinct, fast-growing skin bump:
- A smooth, dome-shaped, firm bump, usually small (often under a centimeter)
- A pink, red, or reddish-brown color; some are darker or brown
- Rapid growth over weeks to months, then stabilizing
- Common locations on the face, head, neck, or legs
A Spitz nevus is usually painless and does not bleed or ulcerate. Rapid growth understandably causes concern, so any new, quickly enlarging, or changing skin bump should be examined by a doctor to confirm what it is.
Causes
A Spitz nevus develops from pigment-producing skin cells (melanocytes) that grow in a particular pattern. The precise reason these moles form is not well understood, but they are generally regarded as a benign growth rather than the result of an identifiable trigger.
Spitz nevi are not contagious and are not known to be caused by sun exposure or injury in most cases. They often arise on their own, frequently in childhood. Their tendency to grow quickly is part of their natural behavior rather than a sign of cancer in most cases.
Risk Factors
- Childhood and young adulthood, when Spitz nevi are most common
- Spitz nevi can occur in anyone and on otherwise healthy skin
- There are no strong established lifestyle risk factors for the typical type
Diagnosis
Because a Spitz nevus can mimic melanoma, careful evaluation is important:
- Skin examination and dermoscopy: Inspecting the lesion closely, often with a magnifier, to assess its features.
- Skin biopsy or excision: Removing the lesion (or a sample) for examination under a microscope is often recommended, particularly in adults, to confirm it is benign and not melanoma.
In children with a classic appearance, a doctor may sometimes choose to monitor a typical Spitz nevus instead of removing it.
Treatment
Management depends on the appearance, the person's age, and how certain the diagnosis is:
- Surgical removal: Many Spitz nevi are removed and examined under a microscope, both to confirm the diagnosis and because removal is curative for a benign lesion.
- Observation: A typical Spitz nevus in a child may sometimes be monitored over time if its appearance is reassuring.
- Further treatment: If examination shows atypical or worrying features, a doctor may recommend wider removal or closer follow-up.
Once a benign Spitz nevus is fully removed, the outlook is excellent.
Prevention
- Spitz nevi cannot generally be prevented
- Practice good general sun protection for overall skin health
- Become familiar with your own and your child's moles
- Report any new, rapidly growing, or changing skin bump promptly
- Attend recommended follow-up appointments after a Spitz nevus is found or removed
When to See a Doctor
See a doctor or dermatologist if you or your child develops a skin bump that:
- Is new and growing quickly
- Changes in size, shape, or color
- Has an irregular border or uneven color
- Bleeds, becomes crusted, or ulcerates
- Appears for the first time in adulthood
Prompt evaluation is important so that any lesion that could be melanoma is identified early.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a Spitz nevus cancer?
A Spitz nevus is usually benign (non-cancerous). However, it can grow quickly and resemble melanoma under the microscope, so doctors evaluate it carefully and often remove it, especially in adults, to be certain of the diagnosis.
Who gets Spitz nevi?
Spitz nevi are most common in children and young adults but can appear at any age. They often arise on otherwise healthy skin of the face, head, neck, or legs and are not caused by anything you did.
Why does a Spitz nevus grow so fast?
Rapid growth over weeks to months is part of the natural behavior of a Spitz nevus and usually stabilizes afterward. Even though fast growth is concerning, most Spitz nevi are benign, but the growth is one reason doctors evaluate them carefully.
Does a Spitz nevus need to be removed?
Often yes, especially in adults, because removing it allows examination under a microscope to confirm it is benign and not melanoma. In children with a classic appearance, a doctor may sometimes monitor it instead.
When should I see a doctor about a skin bump?
See a doctor for any new, rapidly growing, or changing skin bump, particularly one with an irregular border, uneven color, bleeding, or that appears for the first time in adulthood. Early evaluation helps rule out melanoma.
References
- American Academy of Dermatology Association. Moles.
- MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine. Moles.
- Mayo Clinic. Moles — Symptoms and causes.
- Skin Cancer Foundation. Melanoma warning signs.