Deep penetrating nevus: A distinct variant of melanocytic nevus

• Main Authors: Aparna Gupta, P S Srilatha, Niveditha Suvarna, Lakshmi Rao
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2011-01-01
• Series: Indian Journal of Pathology and Microbiology
• Subjects: Deep penetrating nevus; malignant melanoma; nevus
• Online Access: http://www.ijpmonline.org/article.asp?issn=0377-4929;year=2011;volume=54;issue=1;spage=156;epage=157;aulast=Gupta

Deep penetrating nevus (DPN) is a variant of melanocytic nevus which goes unrecognized due to its relative rarity and may be misinterpreted as malignant melanoma. It commonly presents in young adults as a dark pigmented lesion on the face, neck, or shoulder. A 60-year-old lady presented with a mole over the left arm of 8 years duration. A biopsy of the lesion was performed under the clinical impression of a compound nevus with suspicion of malignancy. Based on the histologic features, a diagnosis of DPN was put forward.