Benign Nevi Mimicking Melanoma: A Diagnostic Dilemma

The incidence of melanoma is increasing worldwide and is not restricted as previously to fair-skinned individuals and one of the main contributing factors is the drastic development of diagnostic approach to the melanocytic lesions. Additionally, melanomas are often misdiagnosed (underdiagnosed and overdiagnosed) as many benign melanocytic lesions such as Spitz nevus, deep penetrating nevus (DPN), compound nevus, and regenerating nevi exhibit some features of melanoma. Clinico-pathological correlation is of utmost importance in the diagnosis of such lesions. Cytological details should be carefully studied in addition to a good "low power" assessment of the growth pattern. Appropriate immunohistochemistry (IHC) is necessary whenever needed as misdiagnosis has deleterious consequences for both the patient and the pathologist.