The presence of HRAS mutations and absence of GNAQ or GNA11 mutations in deep penetrating nevi suggests classification of these unusual nevi within the Spitz nevus category of melanocytic tumors, rather than the blue nevus category.
We therefore conclude that HRAS mutation analysis may be a useful diagnostic tool to help differentiate between Spitz nevus and Spitzoid melanoma, thereby reducing the frequency of overdiagnosis of melanoma, and to help predict the biological behavior of a STUMP.
Third, HRAS mutation may be a marker of Spitz naevus, raising the possibility that other molecular markers for discriminating Spitz naevi from spitzoid melanoma can be discovered.