Deep Penetrating Nevus: A Review
Abstract Context.—Deep penetrating nevus is a distinctive melanocytic lesion that may simulate melanoma both clinically and histologically. Objective.—To review clinical and histologic features of deep penetrating nevi and discuss their differential diagnosis, especially regarding melanoma. Data Sources.—The literature on deep penetrating nevi is reviewed and supplemented by our experiences with deep penetrating nevi. Conclusions.—One or more disturbing histologic features may frequently be found in deep penetrating nevi, including asymmetry, plump but fairly regular nests of melanocytes in the dermis, cytologic atypia with some nuclear pleomorphism, a small to medium-sized eosinophilic nucleolus, absence of maturation, occasional presence of normal dermal mitoses, and a patchy mononuclear inflammatory cell infiltrate. Although unusual, such histologic features should not be regarded as a sign of malignancy in deep penetrating nevi.
Analysis of the mononuclear inflammatory cell infiltrate in the normal breast, benign proliferative breast disease, in situ and infiltrating ductal breast carcinomas: preliminary observations
