Retrospective multicenter study on severely dysplastic melanocytic nevi: evaluating the need for re-excision and the risk of recurrence or progression

Severely dysplastic melanocytic nevi (SMD) are histologically challenging lesions with no consensus on optimal management. While complete excision is widely recommended, the necessity of additional reexcision remains debated. This retrospective, multicenter observational cohort study evaluated the...

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Main Authors: Cesare Ariasi, Carlo Cota, Cesare Massone, Carmine D'Acunto, Pietro Danese, Maurizio Lombardo, Davide Melandri, Francesca Scarpellini, Rosa Rinaldi, Paola Pasquini, Paolo Incardona, Piergiacomo Calzavara-Pinton, Paola Monari
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: PAGEPress Publications 2025-05-01
Series:Dermatology Reports
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Online Access:https://www.pagepress.org/journals/dr/article/view/10349
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author Cesare Ariasi
Carlo Cota
Cesare Massone
Carmine D'Acunto
Pietro Danese
Maurizio Lombardo
Davide Melandri
Francesca Scarpellini
Rosa Rinaldi
Paola Pasquini
Paolo Incardona
Piergiacomo Calzavara-Pinton
Paola Monari
author_facet Cesare Ariasi
Carlo Cota
Cesare Massone
Carmine D'Acunto
Pietro Danese
Maurizio Lombardo
Davide Melandri
Francesca Scarpellini
Rosa Rinaldi
Paola Pasquini
Paolo Incardona
Piergiacomo Calzavara-Pinton
Paola Monari
author_sort Cesare Ariasi
collection DOAJ
description Severely dysplastic melanocytic nevi (SMD) are histologically challenging lesions with no consensus on optimal management. While complete excision is widely recommended, the necessity of additional reexcision remains debated. This retrospective, multicenter observational cohort study evaluated the risk of recurrence and disease progression in patients with SMD by comparing those who underwent a single complete excision to those who underwent a secondary widening procedure with 5 mm margins. A total of 226 patients (230 SMD lesions) were included, with diagnoses based on the 2018 World Health Organization (WHO) criteria. Among them, 13.5% underwent re-excision despite clear margins, while 86.5% were followed clinically. Over a minimum 5-year follow-up period, no patient in either group experienced recurrence at the excision site or progression to melanoma. These findings suggest that complete excision with clear margins is sufficient for managing SMD, with no added benefit from routine re-excision. Avoiding unnecessary surgical procedures could reduce patient anxiety, healthcare costs, and surgical morbidity. Given the lack of standardized guidelines, further prospective studies are needed to refine clinical decision-making for SMD management.
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spelling doaj-art-f92a20023432440391520ed8f23bbddd2025-08-20T03:53:51ZengPAGEPress PublicationsDermatology Reports2036-73922036-74062025-05-0110.4081/dr.2025.10349Retrospective multicenter study on severely dysplastic melanocytic nevi: evaluating the need for re-excision and the risk of recurrence or progressionCesare Ariasi0Carlo Cota1Cesare Massone2Carmine D'Acunto3Pietro Danese4Maurizio Lombardo5Davide Melandri6Francesca Scarpellini7Rosa Rinaldi8Paola Pasquini9Paolo Incardona10Piergiacomo Calzavara-Pinton11Paola Monari12Department of Dermatology, University of BresciaUnit of Dermatopathology, San Gallicano Dermatological Institute, RomeDermatology Unit, Galliera Hospital, GenoaDermatology Unit and Burn Center AUSL Romagna, Cesena HospitalDermatology Unit, Carlo Poma Hospital ASST MantovaMelanoma Skin Centre, Department of Medicine and Surgery, Ospedale di Circolo e Fondazione Macchi, ASST dei Sette Laghi, VareseDermatology Unit and Burn Center AUSL Romagna, Cesena HospitalDepartment of Pathology, AUSL Romagna, Cesena HospitalPathology Unit, Carlo Poma Hospital ASST MantovaUnit of Dermatopathology, San Gallicano Dermatological Institute, RomeDepartment of Pathology, ASST Spedali Civili di BresciaDepartment of Dermatology, University of BresciaDepartment of Dermatology, University of Brescia Severely dysplastic melanocytic nevi (SMD) are histologically challenging lesions with no consensus on optimal management. While complete excision is widely recommended, the necessity of additional reexcision remains debated. This retrospective, multicenter observational cohort study evaluated the risk of recurrence and disease progression in patients with SMD by comparing those who underwent a single complete excision to those who underwent a secondary widening procedure with 5 mm margins. A total of 226 patients (230 SMD lesions) were included, with diagnoses based on the 2018 World Health Organization (WHO) criteria. Among them, 13.5% underwent re-excision despite clear margins, while 86.5% were followed clinically. Over a minimum 5-year follow-up period, no patient in either group experienced recurrence at the excision site or progression to melanoma. These findings suggest that complete excision with clear margins is sufficient for managing SMD, with no added benefit from routine re-excision. Avoiding unnecessary surgical procedures could reduce patient anxiety, healthcare costs, and surgical morbidity. Given the lack of standardized guidelines, further prospective studies are needed to refine clinical decision-making for SMD management. https://www.pagepress.org/journals/dr/article/view/10349Severely dysplastic melanocytic nevidysplastic nevusmelanoma risk
spellingShingle Cesare Ariasi
Carlo Cota
Cesare Massone
Carmine D'Acunto
Pietro Danese
Maurizio Lombardo
Davide Melandri
Francesca Scarpellini
Rosa Rinaldi
Paola Pasquini
Paolo Incardona
Piergiacomo Calzavara-Pinton
Paola Monari
Retrospective multicenter study on severely dysplastic melanocytic nevi: evaluating the need for re-excision and the risk of recurrence or progression
Dermatology Reports
Severely dysplastic melanocytic nevi
dysplastic nevus
melanoma risk
title Retrospective multicenter study on severely dysplastic melanocytic nevi: evaluating the need for re-excision and the risk of recurrence or progression
title_full Retrospective multicenter study on severely dysplastic melanocytic nevi: evaluating the need for re-excision and the risk of recurrence or progression
title_fullStr Retrospective multicenter study on severely dysplastic melanocytic nevi: evaluating the need for re-excision and the risk of recurrence or progression
title_full_unstemmed Retrospective multicenter study on severely dysplastic melanocytic nevi: evaluating the need for re-excision and the risk of recurrence or progression
title_short Retrospective multicenter study on severely dysplastic melanocytic nevi: evaluating the need for re-excision and the risk of recurrence or progression
title_sort retrospective multicenter study on severely dysplastic melanocytic nevi evaluating the need for re excision and the risk of recurrence or progression
topic Severely dysplastic melanocytic nevi
dysplastic nevus
melanoma risk
url https://www.pagepress.org/journals/dr/article/view/10349
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