RECURRENT BENIGN MELANOCYTIC NEVI AFTER REMOVAL: A RETROSPECTIVE SINGLE-CENTER STUDY OF RISK FACTORS

Abstract

Aim. To determine the incidence of recurrent nevus after removal of benign melanocytic nevi and to evaluate the influence of clinical, dermoscopic, morphological, and treatment-related factors on recurrence risk.Materials and methods. A retrospective single-center analytical study with passive follow-up was conducted. A total of 339 cases of benign melanocytic nevi removed between May 2020 and May 2025 were included. The mean patient age was 36.7±11.9 years; 234 patients (69.0%) were female and 105 (31.0%) were male. Sex, age, lesion localization, diameter, dermoscopic characteristics, histological subtype, treatment method, and recurrence rate were analyzed. Statistical analysis was performed using Pearson’s χ² test and Student’s t-test.Results. Recurrent nevus was identified in 45 of 339 cases (13.3%). The mean time to recurrence was 5.24±1.05 months. Patients with recurrence were significantly younger than those without recurrence (29.89±13.46 years vs. 37.71±11.27 years; p=0.00005). No statistically significant associations were found between recurrence and sex, lesion localization, lesion diameter, dermoscopic pattern, histological subtype, structural organization, or treatment method (p>0.05).Conclusions. The incidence of recurrent nevus after removal of benign melanocytic nevi was 13.3%. Most recurrences developed within six months after treatment. Younger age was the only statistically significant factor associated with recurrence.