Eruptive Spitz nevus, a striking example of benign metastasis

Sci Rep. 2020 Oct 1;10(1):16216. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-73264-0.

Abstract

Metastasis is generally considered a characteristic of malignant tumors. Herein, we describe a patient with more than one hundred discrete Spitz nevi scattered all over her skin. Molecular analysis from three of the lesions identified a ROS1 fusion oncogene with identical genomic breakpoints, indicating that the nevi arose from a single transformed melanocyte and then disseminated throughout the integument. The demonstration of widespread distribution of a benign tumor with limited proliferative capability indicates that metastatic dissemination is not contingent on full malignant transformation. Thus, eruptive Spitz nevus is a striking example of benign metastasis, demonstrating that metastasis can occur before malignant transformation.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Female
  • Humans
  • Melanoma / genetics
  • Melanoma / pathology*
  • Middle Aged
  • Nevus, Epithelioid and Spindle Cell / pathology*
  • Oncogene Proteins, Fusion / genetics*
  • Prognosis
  • Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / genetics
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins / genetics
  • Skin Neoplasms / genetics
  • Skin Neoplasms / secondary*

Substances

  • Oncogene Proteins, Fusion
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins
  • Protein-Tyrosine Kinases
  • ROS1 protein, human