Dermatology - Cancerous and Precancerous Skin Lesions
1. What is a dysplastic (atypical) nevus?: - Acquired pigmented lesion (mole) of atypical melanocytes
2. Are dysplastic (atypical) nevi benign or malignant?: - Begin as benign by have 25% chance
to become melanoma
3. How do dysplastic (atypical) nevi appear?: Fried egg apperance
- larger (>5 mm)
- variable color
- asymmetrical
- irregular borders (notched border)
- macular and papular
4. What are RFs for dysplastic (atypical) nevi?: - light skin/hair/eyes
- family history
- UVL (sun exposure)
5. When is dysplatic nevus syndrome diagnosed?: - when 5+ dysplastic nevi are confirmed on
biopsy
6. What is multiple melanocytic nevi considered?: - 50+ melanocytic nevi
,7. What is the treatment for dysplastic (atypical) nevi?: 1. Biopsy: complete excision is BEST
with complete margins
2. Regular skin checks
- more often if someone has more nevi
3. Avoid sun exposure
8. What is a congenital melanocytic nevi (CMN)?: - also known as "Birth mark" or "Giant hairy
nevus"
- congenital pigmented lesion (mole) that results from a benign proliferation of melanocytes
9. Although a congenital melanocytic nevi is benign, can it ever become malig-
nant?: - greatest potential in the first decade of life
- lifetime risk of melanoma increases with size
10. How is size of a congenital melanocytic nevi related to risk of melanoma?: -
the larger the nevi is, the greater risk for melanoma
11. How do small-medium congenital melanocytic nevi appear?: - well defined round or
ovoid lesions with a smooth surface and uniform color (brown)
, 12. How do larger congenital melanocytic nevi appear?: - irregular borders
- different pigmentations
1. What is a dysplastic (atypical) nevus?: - Acquired pigmented lesion (mole) of atypical melanocytes
2. Are dysplastic (atypical) nevi benign or malignant?: - Begin as benign by have 25% chance
to become melanoma
3. How do dysplastic (atypical) nevi appear?: Fried egg apperance
- larger (>5 mm)
- variable color
- asymmetrical
- irregular borders (notched border)
- macular and papular
4. What are RFs for dysplastic (atypical) nevi?: - light skin/hair/eyes
- family history
- UVL (sun exposure)
5. When is dysplatic nevus syndrome diagnosed?: - when 5+ dysplastic nevi are confirmed on
biopsy
6. What is multiple melanocytic nevi considered?: - 50+ melanocytic nevi
,7. What is the treatment for dysplastic (atypical) nevi?: 1. Biopsy: complete excision is BEST
with complete margins
2. Regular skin checks
- more often if someone has more nevi
3. Avoid sun exposure
8. What is a congenital melanocytic nevi (CMN)?: - also known as "Birth mark" or "Giant hairy
nevus"
- congenital pigmented lesion (mole) that results from a benign proliferation of melanocytes
9. Although a congenital melanocytic nevi is benign, can it ever become malig-
nant?: - greatest potential in the first decade of life
- lifetime risk of melanoma increases with size
10. How is size of a congenital melanocytic nevi related to risk of melanoma?: -
the larger the nevi is, the greater risk for melanoma
11. How do small-medium congenital melanocytic nevi appear?: - well defined round or
ovoid lesions with a smooth surface and uniform color (brown)
, 12. How do larger congenital melanocytic nevi appear?: - irregular borders
- different pigmentations
