By What does a giant congenital melanocytic nevus look like?
They’re a very common type of birthmark. You might also hear them referred to as congenital melanocytic nevi (CMN). A congenital nevus looks like a round or oval-shaped patch of colored skin and is usually raised. They can be either a single color or multi-colored.
Can congenital melanocytic nevus be cancerous?
Most congenital nevi usually do not cause health problems, but a small percentage may develop into skin cancer (melanoma) later in life. The risk of melanoma increases with the size of the nevus.
How would you describe congenital melanocytic nevi?
Congenital melanocytic nevi (CMN) are visible pigmented (melanocytic) proliferations in the skin that are present at birth. CMN are benign, tumor-like malformations resulting from faulty development of pigment cell (melanocyte) precursors in the embryo, and composed of an abnormal mixture of skin elements.
How rare is giant congenital melanocytic nevi?
Giant congenital melanocytic nevus occurs in approximately 1 in 20,000 newborns worldwide.
How do you get rid of a large congenital melanocytic nevus?
Removal of a large nevus involves the replacement of the affected skin. Skin can be transferred from another area of the body (grafting), or adjacent skin can be stretched, then used to cover the area where the nevus was removed (tissue expansion).
What does a melanocytic nevus look like?
They typically appear as small brown, tan, or pink spots. You can be born with moles or develop them later. Moles that you’re born with are known as congenital moles.
What does a hairy birthmark mean?
A giant congenital nevus is a dark-colored, often hairy patch of skin that is present at birth (congenital). It grows proportionally to the child. A congenital pigmented nevus is considered giant if by adulthood it is larger than 20cm (about 8 inches) in diameter.
Do congenital nevi go away?
Congenital melanocytic nevi do not go away with time. Some congenital melanocytic nevi may get lighter in color over the first few years of life.
Can melanocytic nevus grow?
If they are seen at birth or develop during the first 1-2 years of life they are called congenital melanocytic nevi. While most of these moles are small, some may be very large. Most of these will grow as your child grows.
Is melanocytic nevi malignant or benign?
Although melanocytic nevi are examples of what are called benign neoplasms, or non-cancerous growths, they have the potential to become malignant, or cancerous. A congenital melanocytic nevus carries a higher risk of melanoma development.
Does pregnancy alter melanocytic nevi?
Background: Hormonal changes in pregnancy are known to alter melanocytic lesions, with some nevi noted to have increased mitotic figures and increased Ki-67 proliferation index. Additionally, cytomorphologic changes have also been noted, referred to as superficial micronodules of pregnancy.
What is a congenital nevi mole?
Congenital nevi are moles that are present at birth . These birthmarks have a slightly increased risk of becoming skin cancer depending on their size. Larger congenital nevi have a greater risk of developing skin cancer than do smaller congenital nevi.
Is nevus sebaceous hereditary?
Linear nevus sebaceous syndrome (LNSS) is not inherited. All cases reported have been sporadic, occurring by chance in people with no family history of the condition. [5] While LNSS is caused by genetic mutations, these mutations occur after fertilization in the affected person.