Melanoma vs Spitz Nevus

How to tell the difference — key features compared side by side.

Feature
Melanoma
Spitz Nevus
Category
Malignant
Benign
Key feature
The most dangerous skin cancer - but 99% survival when caught early. Learn the ABCDE signs.
A dome-shaped pink or brown mole common in children. Can closely resemble melanoma under the microscope - often excised for certainty.
Risk factors
Fair skin, light eyes, red or blond hair (Fitzpatrick types I-II); History of blistering sunburns, especially before age 18; More than 50 ordinary moles on the body
Childhood and adolescence (peak incidence); Can occur at any age; No established environmental risk factors
Action needed
A new mole or spot that looks different from your other moles (the ugly duckling sign)
A rapidly growing, dome-shaped pink or reddish mole in a child

Melanoma

Melanoma develops in melanocytes, the cells that produce melanin and give your skin its color. While it accounts for only about 1% of skin cancers, it causes most of skin cancer deaths. The good news: when detected at stage I, the five-year survival rate exceeds 99%.

Read full guide →

Spitz Nevus

Spitz nevus is a distinctive type of benign melanocytic mole that most commonly occurs in children and teenagers, though it can appear at any age. It typically presents as a dome-shaped, well-defined, pink, red, or brown papule that grows relatively quickly to a size of 5-10mm.

Read full guide →

Does yours look more like melanoma?

Quick self-check

Does this look like melanoma? Answer 2 questions.

Has this spot changed in size, shape, or color recently?

Does it have multiple colors or irregular, blurred edges?

Still not sure?

Our full ABCDE checker evaluates 5 clinical criteria dermatologists use.

Full ABCDE check →