Acessibilidade / Reportar erro

Small congenital melanocytic nevus and the risk of developing melanoma

BACKGROUND: There have been few studies, even recently, into the risk of occurrence of cutaneous melanoma in small congenital melanocytic nevi < 3 cm). There is no consensus regarding the management of these lesions. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the frequency with which small congenital melanocytic nevi transform into cutaneous melanoma and discuss this in relation to the literature, focussing on the practical management. PATIENT AND METHODS: From a total of 204 patients with cutaneous melanoma, the authors selected those whose disease was derived from small congenital melanocytic nevi. The inclusion criterion was clinical, based on patient records. RESULTS: Malignant transformation of small congenital melanocytic nevi was found in 44/204 patients (21.6%) with confidence interval (CI) of 12.2 to 28%.. No cases occurred before 20 years of age and there was no preferential age range for the transformation. CONCLUSION: Small congenital melanocytic nevi are a precursor lesion of cutaneous melanoma; the transformation most probably does not occur before puberty; while the risk of transformation after puberty seems to occur homogeneously throughout life. Suggestion: The excision should be performed at the onset of puberty.

melanoma; nevus; pigmented


Sociedade Brasileira de Dermatologia Av. Rio Branco, 39 18. and., 20090-003 Rio de Janeiro RJ, Tel./Fax: +55 21 2253-6747 - Rio de Janeiro - RJ - Brazil
E-mail: revista@sbd.org.br