Histologic spectrum of melanocytic nevi removed from patients > 60 years of age

The histology of melanocytic nevi removed from older patients often differs from that of nevi from younger adults. According to the literature, the most common nevus in older individuals is the intradermal nevus, and purely junctional nevi are rare and should alert the pathologist to a possible melanoma precursor.

To evaluate the histologic features of melanocytic nevi removed from patients > 60 year of age.

Biopsies of nevi (N=215) from 172 patients > 60 years (mean age 69+/-7 years) were examined retrospectively by three dermatopathologists, a consensus diagnosis was rendered, and the spectrum of histologic features was documented.

Junctional melanocytic nevi were frequently diagnosed in older patients (21% of cases) and a lentiginous, often heavily pigmented growth pattern was common (12% of nevi). Severely atypical (dysplastic) changes were found in 6% of nevi removed from older patients.

We conclude that benign junctional nevi are relatively common in older patients and that a lentiginous, heavily pigmented growth pattern, traditionally associated with younger individuals, is often seen in both junctional and compound nevi in this older age group. This pattern must be differentiated from dysplastic nevus and melanoma in situ, which they may clinically resemble.