Clinically unapparent melanocytic nevi on the prepuce.

BACKGROUND

Melanocytic nevi from the genitalia are uncommon. Nevi on the vulva are much better described than nevi on male genitalia. To our knowledge, a systematic study of preputial melanocytic nevi has not been reported.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the frequency of clinically unapparent melanocytic nevi on a series of preputial excisions.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

We undertook a prospective histologic study of the prepuce obtained in a series of 372 consecutive circumcisions for phimosis performed during the period between January 2000 and December 2002.

RESULTS

Incidental preputial melanocytic nevi were detected in four (1.1%) patients. Lesions were dermal in nature, most of them showed pigment in superficial dermal nests and had pseudovascular spaces. There were no cytologic atypia, mitotic figures, architectural disorder or inflammatory infiltrate. The mean (standard deviation, SD) of the maximum diameter was 1.08 (0.85) mm (range 0.34-1.79 mm). The mean age (SD) of the patients was 41.5 (4.95) years (range 29-58).

CONCLUSIONS

Incidental melanocytic nevi, although uncommonly, can be observed in the prepuce. They are detected in adults and may pose a diagnostic challenge when they are detected in the setting of concurrent malignant melanoma.