ascopubs.org: Primary Leptomeningeal Melanoma in a Patient With Multiple Congenital Melanocytic Nevi Treated With Ipilimumab Primary Leptomeningeal Melanoma in a Patient With Multiple Congenital Melanocytic Nevi Treated With Ipilimumab Multiple nevi, known as moles, are growths on the skin. Moles are skin cells (melanocytes) that grow in a cluster instead of being spread throughout the skin. Moles appear in childhood either alone or in groups.
As the years pass, moles usually slowly change by becoming raised or changing color. Patients with numerous (over 50, for instance) benign nevi and/or multiple atypical nevi are at increased risk of melanoma and should be followed by a dermatologist. People with multiple dysplastic nevi and melanoma in two or more first-degree relatives have 25 times the risk of developing melanoma. This is called the dysplastic nevus-melanoma syndrome.
multiple nevi, Your doctor can determine the type of mole you have by looking at it. Common moles, dysplastic nevi, and melanoma vary by size, color, shape, and surface texture. The table below summarizes some differences between moles and cancer. Moles, also known as nevi, are a common type of skin growth. They often appear as small, dark brown spots that are caused by clusters of pigment-forming cells called melanocytes.
multiple nevi, Atypical nevi may occur anywhere on the body but are found most frequently on the back and on sun-exposed areas. The vast majority of atypical nevi do not become melanomas, but having atypical nevi is a risk factor for melanoma.
