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A melanocytic nevus (also known as nevocytic nevus, nevus-cell nevus, and commonly as a mole) [1] [2] is usually a noncancerous condition of pigment-producing skin cells. It is a type of melanocytic tumor that contains nevus cells. [2]
However, a melanocytic nevus is benign, and melanoma is malignant. Most melanocytic nevi never evolve into a cancer, with the lifetime risk for an individual nevus being 1 in 3000 for men and 1 in 11 000 for women. [5] Moreover, dermatologists have a standardized system for determining whether a skin lesion is suspicious for malignant melanoma.
Melanocytic nevi and neoplasms are caused by either a proliferation of (1) melanocytes, or (2) nevus cells, a form of melanocyte that lack dendritic processes. [78] [79] Acral nevus (melanocytic nevus of acral skin, melanocytic nevus with intraepidermal ascent of cells) Amelanotic blue nevus (hypomelanotic blue nevus) Becker's nevus; Balloon ...
Nevus (pl.: nevi) is a nonspecific medical term for a visible, circumscribed, chronic lesion of the skin or mucosa. [1] The term originates from nævus , which is Latin for " birthmark "; however, a nevus can be either congenital (present at birth) or acquired.
A lentigo (/ l ɛ n ˈ t aɪ ɡ oʊ /) (plural lentigines, / l ɛ n ˈ t ɪ dʒ ɪ n iː z /) is a small pigmented spot on the skin with a clearly defined edge, surrounded by normal-appearing skin. It is a harmless (benign) hyperplasia of melanocytes which is linear in its spread.
Nevus cells are a variant of melanocytes. [1]: 684 They are larger than typical melanocytes, do not have dendrites, and have more abundant cytoplasm with coarse granules. [2] They are usually located at the dermoepidermal junction or in the dermis of the skin. Dermal nevus cells can be further classified: type A (epithelioid) dermal nevus cells ...
The preferred method of diagnosis is by using a punch biopsy, allowing the physician to sample multiple full thickness pieces of the tumor at multiple sites. While one section of the tumor might show benign melanocytic nevus, another section might show features concerning for severe cellular atypia.
Although a nevus and a melanoma are often treated as independent entities, there is evidence that a nevus can be a precursor for a melanoma. [1] Common mutations have been identified in nevi and melanomas. [2] [3] [4]