Malignant Melanoma Arising With Two Halo Nevi

Abstract

To the Editor.— This case is reported because of the recent awareness of the association of malignant melanoma with the halo nevus and the increasing investigative work in trying to understand the relationship. Report of a Case.— A 28-year-old blond woman was seen recently with a pink, raised tumor with a wide peripheral area of depigmentation on the middle of the upper back, a typical halo nevus that had been noticed for only a few months (Fig 1). This was removed surgically, and the histological examination proved it to be a malignant melanoma (Fig 2 through 4). The patient was then referred to a general surgeon specializing in melanomas who did a wider and deeper excision. The pathological report of the surgical specimen showed no residual melanoma. Comment.— The halo nevus is distinctive: a pigmented nevus becomes surrounded by a halo of depigmented skin, then gradually diminishes