Melanocytic nevi of the oral mucosa: a clinicopathologic study of 130 cases from northern California

Abstract

This paper presents analysis of data on 130 cases of oral melanocytic nevi from the files of the University of the Pacific, San Francisco and the University of California, San Francisco. This is the largest detailed series from one geographic location published to date. Nevi of the intramucosal type are the most common (63%) followed by the common blue nevus (19%). Compound nevi are uncommon (9%) and junctional nevi are rare (5%). Combined nevi are the rarest type (4%). The data are analyzed as to the location, presence of clinical pigmentation, configuration, and size of the nevi, as well as the patient's age, gender and race. Because the malignant potential of oral nevi is still uncertain and because preexisting macular pigmentation is present in about one third of all patients with oral melanoma, it is advisable to remove all pigmented lesions suspected to be melanocytic nevi.