Congenital Nevi Follow-up

  • Author: Robert A Schwartz, MD, MPH; Chief Editor: Dirk M Elston, MD   more...
 
Updated: Apr 17, 2012
 

Complications

Patients with giant congenital melanocytic nevi have an increased risk of developing melanoma (as high as 5-7% by age 60 y). The lifetime risk of malignant transformation associated with smaller nevi is surely smaller than that for giant nevi but is unknown at this time.

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Prognosis

The prognosis for patients with small or medium-sized congenital melanocytic nevi is good. Although the risk of developing melanoma in these lesions has not been quantified, it is generally regarded as only slightly higher than that of normal skin. Despite the increased risk for melanoma in patients with giant congenital melanocytic nevi, the vast majority of patients never develop melanoma. Therefore, prognosis remains good in these patients, especially if the lesions are examined regularly for signs of atypia.

Prognosis in cases of symptomatic neurocutaneous melanosis is quite poor.

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Patient Education

All people need to be educated on the importance of protection from ultraviolet light exposure. This is especially important in people who have congenital melanocytic nevi, particularly the giant type, because they are already at an increased risk for the development of melanoma.

For patient education resources, see the Skin, Hair, and Nails Center, as well as Skin Cancer and Mole Removal.

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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Robert A Schwartz, MD, MPH  Professor and Head, Dermatology, Professor of Pathology, Pediatrics, Medicine, and Preventive Medicine and Community Health, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-New Jersey Medical School

Robert A Schwartz, MD, MPH is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, American College of Physicians, and Sigma Xi

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Christopher J Steen, MD  Dermatologist, Private Practice

Christopher J Steen, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha and Sigma Xi

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Jerry Rothenberg, MD  Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Dermatology, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, New Jersey Medical School; President, Director, New Jersey Dermatopathology Laboratory, Inc

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Isabelle Thomas, MD  Associate Professor, Department of Dermatology, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, New Jersey Medical School; Chief of Dermatology Service, Veterans Affairs Medical Center of East Orange

Isabelle Thomas, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology and Sigma Xi

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Franklin Flowers, MD  Chief, Division of Dermatology, Professor, Department of Medicine and Otolaryngology, Affiliate Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Pathology, University of Florida College of Medicine

Franklin Flowers, MD, is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Mohs Micrographic Surgery and Cutaneous Oncology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

David F Butler, MD  Professor of Dermatology, Texas A&M University College of Medicine; Chair, Department of Dermatology, Director, Dermatology Residency Training Program, Scott and White Clinic, Northside Clinic

David F Butler, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, American Medical Association, American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, American Society for MOHS Surgery, Association of Military Dermatologists, and Phi Beta Kappa

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Jeffrey Meffert, MD  Assistant Clinical Professor of Dermatology, University of Texas School of Medicine at San Antonio

Jeffrey Meffert, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, American Medical Association, Association of Military Dermatologists, and Texas Dermatological Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Catherine M Quirk, MD  Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania

Catherine M Quirk, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha and American Academy of Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Dirk M Elston, MD  Director, Ackerman Academy of Dermatopathology, New York

Dirk M Elston, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

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The photomicrograph shows a symmetrical broad proliferation of melanocytes in the papillary and reticular dermis with maturation with progressive descent; splaying between collagen bundles; and permeation of muscles of hair erection, blood vessels, and adnexa (hematoxylin and eosin stain, 20X magnification).
Higher-power view of the previous image (hematoxylin and eosin stain, 40X magnification).
 
 
 
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