BACKGROUND Changes in the clinical appearance of benign dermal nevi during pregnancy may be concerning for malignant transformation. Because the hormonal milieu of pregnancy has not proven to alter their banal behavior, histologic characterization is needed to prevent over-diagnosis and unnecessary treatment. METHODS Dermal nevi excised from pregnant women (n = 16) were compared with nevi fro...

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is a widely expressed cytokine involved in various biological processes. Although MIF's functions in cancer have not been completely elucidated, its expression has usually been correlated with tumour progression and aggressiveness, and it is currently discussed as a new promising target for novel therapies. Recent studies seem to confirm its active r...

BACKGROUND Atypical nevi are a common risk factor for melanoma. OBJECTIVES The objective was to determine the utility of monitoring dermoscopic photographs of atypical nevi in a high-risk population. METHODS Over a 4.5-year period, digital dermoscopic photographs were taken of clinically atypical nevi at initial and follow-up visits, such that side-by-side comparisons could be made. RESUL...

Introduction: Newborns can present with a host of varying birth marks. Nevi can represent a benign condition or be a harbinger of a more concerning underlying condition or genetic syndrome. Hyperpigmentation in the newborn is very common and has a wide spectrum of presentation from large areas of dark discoloration to spotty segmental patches to solitary light brown macules. Some nevi may have ...

According to the prevailing multistep model of melanoma development, oncogenic BRAF or NRAS mutations are crucial initial events in melanoma development. It is not known whether melanocytic nevi that are found in association with a melanoma are more likely to carry BRAF or NRAS mutations than uninvolved nevi. By laser microdissection we were able to selectively dissect and genotype cells either...

BACKGROUND Nevi with cytologic characteristics of Spitz nevus and architectural features of Clark's/dysplastic nevus are not well recognized in the literature. METHODS Twenty-seven nevi with characteristics of Spitz nevus and Clark's/dysplastic nevus are reviewed. RESULTS The patients' mean age was 33 years, and 17/27(63%) patients were female. Lesions were most frequent on the trunk and lo...

BACKGROUND While melanocytic nevi have been associated with genetic factors and childhood sun exposure, several observations also suggest a potential hormonal influence on nevi. To test the hypothesis that nevi are associated with breast tumor risk, we explored the relationships between number of nevi and benign and malignant breast disease risk. METHODS AND FINDINGS We prospectively analyzed...

blue nevi are uncommon, asymptomatic lesions of the uterine cervix. these lesions are not often detected clinically or on colposcopy. careful histopathological examination is required. the nevus cells are said to originate from the immature melanoblasts of the neural crest. these lesions need to be differentiated from malignant melanoma and melanosis of the cervix. we present here a case report...

OBJECTIVE To determine the incidence of new, changed, and regressed nevi and melanomas in a cohort of patients at high risk for melanoma using baseline total body photography and dermatoscopy. DESIGN Cohort study of patients at high risk for melanoma who underwent baseline cutaneous photography between January 1, 1992, and December 31, 1997, and had at least 1 follow-up visit by December 31, ...