National Center for Advancing and Translational Sciences Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center, a program of the National Center for Advancing and Translational Sciences

Spitz nevus


Other Names:
Spitz nevi; Spitz naevus
Categories:
Spitz nevus are non-cancerous skin lesions that tend to be dome-shaped, red, reddish-brown or dark colored. They usually develop on the face or limbs of young children.[1] They tend to grow quickly initially, but then stabilize or even disappear after a period of time.[1] Spitz nevi can be very difficult to distinguish from melanoma, as a result treatment tends to involve excision of the nevi.[1][2]
Last updated: 6/2/2011

These resources provide more information about this condition or associated symptoms. The in-depth resources contain medical and scientific language that may be hard to understand. You may want to review these resources with a medical professional.

Where to Start

  • DermNet NZ is an online resource about skin diseases developed by the New Zealand Dermatological Society Incorporated. DermNet NZ provides information about this condition.

In-Depth Information

  • Medscape Reference provides information on this topic. You may need to register to view the medical textbook, but registration is free.
  • The Monarch Initiative brings together data about this condition from humans and other species to help physicians and biomedical researchers. Monarch’s tools are designed to make it easier to compare the signs and symptoms (phenotypes) of different diseases and discover common features. This initiative is a collaboration between several academic institutions across the world and is funded by the National Institutes of Health. Visit the website to explore the biology of this condition.
  • PubMed is a searchable database of medical literature and lists journal articles that discuss Spitz nevus. Click on the link to view a sample search on this topic.

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  • How common is spitz nevi in children near 7 years-old? See answer


  1. Spitz naevi. DermNetNZ. 2003; http://www.dermnetnz.org/lesions/spitz-naevus.html. Accessed 6/2/2011.
  2. Trizna Z. Spitz Nevus. Medscape. May 2010; http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1059623-overview. Accessed 6/2/2011.