Korean J Dermatol.
1993 Dec;31(6):896-903.
Clinical study of pigmemted Nevi on the palms,soles,and genitalia in Korean
Abstract
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BACKGROUND: There are reviews with regard to the treatment of pigmented nevi present on the palms, soles, and genitalia. One advocated that pigmented nevi on thesa locations should be prophylactically removed to avoid their tuture development into malignant melanoma, while the other believes that this is not practicable.
OBJECTIVE
Our purpose was to determine the incidence rates and clinical characteristics and to discuss the management of pigrnented nevi, developed on these areas of the Korean men. METHOD: We examined 1,537 Korean men, between 19 and 21 rears old, to evaluate the pigmented nevi on their palms, soles, and genitalia.
RESULTS
Atleast 1 pigmented nevus appeared in 314(20.4%) men on the palms, 189(12.3%) on the soles, and 117(7.6%) on the genitalia. The sizes(mean diameter) of nevi on genitalia, soles, and palms were 4.5mm, 3.1mm, and 2.3mm respectively. The color of the nevi was darkest on the penile shaft(4.3 point) and then glans penis(3.9 points), soles(3.2 points), palms(2.5 points) in decreasing orders of the points. Most of the nevi was consistent with type 1 by Levers clinical classification and their incidence were 357 on palms, 211 on soles, and 128 on genitalia. Among the 21 nevi of type 2, 13 nevi appeared on the soles, and noine of type 3 and type 5 were found. The distribution of the nevi on the palms was of a rather uniform and scattered pattern, whereas, on the soles, they were distinctly concentrated in the midfoot. Tkie nevi on the glans penis appeared larger and more irregular in outline than those on the penile shaft.
CONCLUSION
The plantar nevi were larger, darker, and had greater incidence of elevated type compared with the palmar nevi. From this observation, particular attenticn should be paid to the presence of pigmented nevi on the soles.
