The prevalence of melanocytic nevi on the soles in the Japanese population

• Published in: Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology Vol. 60; no. 5; pp. 767 - 771
• Main Authors: Kogushi-Nishi, Hazuki, MD, Kawasaki, Junko, Kageshita, Toshiro, MD, PhD, Ishihara, Tsuyoshi, MD, PhD, Ihn, Hironobu, MD, PhD
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Mosby, Inc 01.05.2009; Elsevier
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Biological and medical sciences; Child; Child, Preschool; Dermatology; Epidemiology; Female; Foot Diseases - epidemiology; Foot Diseases - pathology; General aspects; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Japan - epidemiology; Male; Medical sciences; Melanoma - epidemiology; Melanoma - pathology; Middle Aged; Nevus, Pigmented - epidemiology; Nevus, Pigmented - pathology; Prevalence; Public health. Hygiene; Public health. Hygiene-occupational medicine; Skin Neoplasms - epidemiology; Skin Neoplasms - pathology; Tumors of the skin and soft tissue. Premalignant lesions; Asia; Japan; LM; ALM; lentigo maligna; acral lentiginous melanoma; nodular melanoma; SSM; superficial spreading melanoma; NM; Skin disease; Prevalence; Dermatology; Epidemiology; Melanocytic nevus
• ISSN: 0190-9622; 1097-6787
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jaad.2008.12.048

Background Acral lentiginous melanoma (ALM) is the most common type of melanoma in Japan. The association between ALM and acral nevus has not been elucidated. Objective To investigate the prevalence and dermatoscopic patterns of plantar melanocytic nevi on the soles in the Japanese and to evaluate the relationship between acral nevi and ALM. Methods All outpatients (N = 1697) and melanoma patients (N = 104) were included. We examined the number, size, and dermatoscopic images of nevi. Results In the control group, the prevalence of plantar nevi was 10.9%, and the mean size was 3.8 ± 2.4 mm. The prevalence of nevi in patients with ALM and melanoma in situ on the soles was 8.6% and that of patients with melanoma on other sites was 14.5%. The main dermatoscopic pattern was “parallel furrow” in both groups. Limitations This was a clinical observational study only. Conclusion The number, size, and dermatoscopic patterns of nevi on the soles of patients with ALM and melanoma in situ on the soles did not differ from those of the control group.