Sections

Overview

Background

Becker melanosis was described in 1948 by S. William Becker in two young men with acquired melanosis and hypertrichosis in a unilateral distribution.^[1]Since then, this condition has been termed Becker nevus.

Pathophysiology

The pathogenesis and etiology of Becker nevus remain uncertain.

Androgens may play a role in Becker melanosis, as evidenced by its peripubertal development, male preponderance, hypertrichosis, occasional development of acneform lesions within the patch, and rare association with accessory scrotum in the genital region. In addition, a significant increase in the number of androgen receptors in Becker melanosis lesional skin has been reported.^[2]

Frequency

A study of 19,302 men aged 17-26 years revealed a prevalence of Becker melanosis of 0.52%.

Sex

Males are affected by Becker melanosis more often than females.

Age

Although Becker nevus usually is a sporadic condition that manifests in the peripubertal period, both congenital and familial cases^[3]have been described.

Patient Education

Advise patients that Becker melanosis is a benign entity and does not require treatment except for cosmetic reasons.

Clinical Presentation

Becker SW. Concurrent melanosis and hypertrichosis in a distribution of nevus unius lateris. Arch Dermatol. 1948. 60:155-60.
Grande Sarpa H, Harris R, Hansen CD, Callis Duffin KP, Florell SR, Hadley ML. Androgen receptor expression patterns in Becker's nevi: an immunohistochemical study. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2008 Nov. 59(5):834-8. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Fretzin DF, Whitney D. Familial Becker's nevus. J Am Acad Dermatol. 1985 Mar. 12(3):589-90. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Sirka CS, Puhan MR, Behera S, Mohanty P, Nanda M. Becker's nevus with ipsilateral breast hypoplasia. Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol. 2009 Mar-Apr. 75(2):202-3. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Van Gerwen HJ, Koopman RJ, Steijlen PM, Happle R. Becker's naevus with localized lipoatrophy and ipsilateral breast hypoplasia. Br J Dermatol. 1993 Aug. 129(2):213. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Lambert JR, Willems P, Abs R, Van Roy B. Becker's nevus associated with chromosomal mosaicism and congenital adrenal hyperplasia. J Am Acad Dermatol. 1994 Apr. 30(4):655-7. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Urbani CE, Betti R. Polythelia within Becker's naevus. Dermatology. 1998. 196(2):251-2. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Szylit JA, Grossman ME, Luyando Y, Olarte MR, Nagler H. Becker's nevus and an accessory scrotum. A unique occurrence. J Am Acad Dermatol. 1986 May. 14(5 Pt 2):905-7. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Kopera D, Hohenleutner U, Landthaler M. Quality-switched ruby laser treatment of solar lentigines and Becker's nevus: a histopathological and immunohistochemical study. Dermatology. 1997. 194(4):338-43. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Nelson JS, Applebaum J. Treatment of superficial cutaneous pigmented lesions by melanin-specific selective photothermolysis using the Q-switched ruby laser. Ann Plast Surg. 1992 Sep. 29(3):231-7. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Raulin C, Schönermark MP, Greve B, Werner S. Q-switched ruby laser treatment of tattoos and benign pigmented skin lesions: a critical review. Ann Plast Surg. 1998 Nov. 41(5):555-65. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Trelles MA, Allones I, Moreno-Arias GA, Vélez M. Becker's naevus: a comparative study between erbium: YAG and Q-switched neodymium:YAG; clinical and histopathological findings. Br J Dermatol. 2005 Feb. 152(2):308-13. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Al-Saif F, Al-Mekhadab E, Al-Saif H. Efficacy and safety of short-pulse erbium: Yttrium aluminum garnet laser treatment of Becker's nevus in Saudi patients: A pilot study. Int J Health Sci (Qassim). 2017 jul-sep. 11(3):14-17. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Choi JE, Kim JW, Seo SH, Son SW, Ahn HH, Kye YC. Treatment of Becker's nevi with a long-pulse alexandrite laser. Dermatol Surg. 2009 Jul. 35(7):1105-8. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Lapidoth M, Adatto M, Cohen S, Ben-Amitai D, Halachmi S. Hypertrichosis in Becker's nevus: effective low-fluence laser hair removal. Lasers Med Sci. 2014 Jan. 29(1):191-3. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Meesters AA, Wind BS, Kroon MW, Wolkerstorfer A, van der Veen JP, Nieuweboer-Krobotová L. Ablative fractional laser therapy as treatment for Becker nevus: a randomized controlled pilot study. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2011 Dec. 65(6):1173-9. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Balaraman B, Friedman PM. Hypertrichotic Becker's nevi treated with combination 1,550 nm non-ablative fractional photothermolysis and laser hair removal. Lasers Surg Med. 2016 Apr. 48 (4):350-3. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Momen S, Mallipeddi R, Al-Niaimi F. The use of lasers in Becker's naevus: An evidence-based review. J Cosmet Laser Ther. 2016 Aug. 18 (4):188-92. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

Media Gallery

Becker nevus of chest wall with associated hypertrichosis. Courtesy of Jason K. Rivers, MD.
Becker nevus demonstrating smooth muscle bundles in the dermis. Courtesy of Jason K. Rivers, MD.

of 2

Author

Jason K Rivers, MD, FRCPC Clinical Professor, Department of Dermatology and Skin Science, University of British Columbia Faculty of Medicine; Consulting Staff, Vancouver General Hospital and St Paul's Hospital; Medical Director, Pacific Dermaesthetics

Jason K Rivers, MD, FRCPC is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery, British Columbia Medical Association, Canadian Dermatology Association, Canadian Medical Association, Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada

Disclosure: Serve(d) as a director, officer, partner, employee, advisor, consultant or trustee for: Canadian Dermatology Association; Riversol Skin Care Solutions, Inc<br/>Have a 5% or greater equity interest in: Riversol Skin Care Solutions Inc<br/>Received income in an amount equal to or greater than $250 from: Allergan; AbbVie; Galderma; Leo; Pfizer<br/>Immediate Past President for: Canadian Dermatology Association.

Specialty Editor Board

Michael J Wells, MD, FAAD Dermatologic/Mohs Surgeon, The Surgery Center at Plano Dermatology

Michael J Wells, MD, FAAD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, American Medical Association, Texas Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Lester F Libow, MD Dermatopathologist, South Texas Dermatopathology Laboratory

Lester F Libow, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, American Society of Dermatopathology, Texas Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Dirk M Elston, MD Professor and Chairman, Department of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina College of Medicine

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

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Acknowledgements

Günter Burg, MD Professor and Chairman Emeritus, Department of Dermatology, University of Zürich School of Medicine; Delegate of The Foundation for Modern Teaching and Learning in Medicine Faculty of Medicine, University of Zürich, Switzerland

Günter Burg, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, American Dermatological Association, International Society for Dermatologic Surgery, North American Clinical Dermatologic Society, and Pacific Dermatologic Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Marni C Wiseman, MD, FRCPC Assistant Professor, CancerCare Manitoba, University of Manitoba Faculty of Medicine

Marni C Wiseman, MD, FRCPC is a member of the following medical societies: Canadian Dermatology Association and Canadian Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Becker Melanosis

Background

Pathophysiology

Epidemiology

Frequency

Sex

Age

Patient Education

Becker Melanosis

Background

Pathophysiology

Epidemiology

Frequency

Sex

Age

Patient Education

References

Tables

Contributor Information and Disclosures

What would you like to print?