Children are more likely to get a Spitz nevus than adults. These rare moles look like melanoma, but aren’t cancerous. A healthcare provider may monitor your mole for changes or do a skin biopsy to rule out cancer. Some Spitz nevi disappear over time. People with these moles should do skin self-exams and see a dermatologist regularly to detect skin changes.
A Spitz nevus is a type of noncancerous (benign) mole that typically appears during childhood. It usually looks like a round pink bump. They can sometimes look flat or rough, or have a different color like blue, black or brown. A healthcare provider may also refer to a Spitz nevus as an epithelioid or spindle-cell nevus.
It can be alarming to find a Spitz nevus on your child. They can look like melanoma, a life-threatening skin cancer. Fortunately, Spitz nevi (the plural form of nevus) aren’t skin cancer.
Even though a Spitz nevus is rarely cause for concern, it’s still important to see a healthcare provider to get an accurate diagnosis. Most children with a Spitz nevus don’t need any treatment. Your provider might remove a Spitz nevus on your child if it starts changing shape or size.
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A Spitz nevus is the medical name for a specific type of mole:
Most people have a few common moles (also known as acquired moles). These harmless moles can appear anytime throughout your life. Some people with lighter skin can have as many as 40 common moles.
Spitz nevi are rare. These moles account for about 1% of all surgically removed (biopsied) moles.
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Experts aren’t sure what causes Spitz nevi. Some people might have a gene change (genetic mutation) that makes them more likely to have these moles.
Moles affect people of all ages, sexes and skin colors. People with lighter skin are more likely to have Spitz nevi. Most Spitz nevi are acquired (common) moles, which means they appear after childbirth.
Spitz nevi can appear at any point in your life. Each age group develops about one-third of cases:
It’s rare, but a Spitz nevus can be present at birth (a congenital birthmark).
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A Spitz nevus usually looks like a pink or red raised bump. They can also be flat or blue, brown, tan or black.
Most people only have one Spitz nevus, although they can develop in clusters.
Spitz nevi usually:
It’s extremely rare for a child to have melanoma. There are fewer than 400 cases of childhood melanoma in the U.S. each year. When a child has melanoma, the growth often looks like a Spitz nevus.
The signs of a melanoma growth include:
A Spitz nevus can appear anywhere on your body. The most common places they develop include your:
Visit a dermatologist if you notice any growths or changes on your skin. This is especially important because a Spitz nevus and a melanoma growth look so much alike.
A dermatologist will look at the growth and ask you when you noticed it or if it’s changed recently. They might also perform a few tests, including:
Most people with Spitz nevi don’t need treatment. However, your provider may suggest annual skin examinations and mole mapping to monitor the mole for unusual changes.
Your dermatologist might surgically remove a Spitz nevus and some surrounding skin and tissue if the mole is:
People get moles for no known reason. There isn’t anything you can do to prevent yourself or your child from developing a Spitz nevus.
Everyone’s at risk for skin cancer. You can take these steps to protect your skin from sun damage:
You should perform skin self-exams on yourself and your children to check for changes in your skin and moles. Healthcare providers recommend performing skin examinations at least once a month if you have a family history of skin cancer. You can also take photos of moles to help identify changes.
The ABCDE rule for skin cancer can help you detect moles that require a provider’s attention. Look for these signs:
Most children with Spitz nevi don’t need surgery. But if your child has a skin biopsy or surgery to remove their mole, they may have a scar. It’s rare, but Spitz nevi sometimes regrow after they’re removed. You should check your child’s skin and scar. Visit a provider if you notice a bump or other skin changes.
Call your healthcare provider if you notice new moles or skin changes, including the ABCDE signs of skin cancer.
In very rare instances, a healthcare provider may incorrectly diagnose a mole as a Spitz nevus when it’s actually melanoma. Some providers refer to the new cancer diagnosis as Spitzoid melanoma or a malignant (cancerous) Spitz nevus.
An accurately diagnosed Spitz nevus mole won’t develop into skin cancer. You have either a benign Spitz nevus mole or melanoma. If your provider is uncertain about the cancer status of a mole, they may do a skin biopsy to be sure.
A note from Cleveland Clinic
Any type of skin change or new growth can be concerning, especially when a mole like a Spitz nevus looks so much like melanoma. Even though it’s extremely rare for a child to have skin cancer, it’s still important to get any unusual skin changes checked. If your child has a Spitz nevus, they may need more frequent skin examinations to monitor it for changes. Ask your healthcare provider to show you how to do skin self-exams on yourself and your children.
Last reviewed on 11/10/2022.
Learn more about the Health Library and our editorial process.
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Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy