title: Activation of nevi in patients with malignant melanoma.
abstract: Activation of melanocytic nevi from patients with malignant melanoma is documented microscopically. Features of activation include marked junctional activity, lack of lateral margination of junctional melanocytic activity, and--to a lesser degree--increased pigment production, inflammation, mitotic activity, and cytologic atypia. The changes are most pronounced in nevi from the same lymph drainage region as the malignant melanoma, suggesting a local activating factor. The presence of marked junctional activity in these lesions and the occurrence of these changes in nevi of patients with clinical Stage I malignant melanomas provide evidence that these lesions do not represent metastases.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000150:complications*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009508:Nevus, Pigmented / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*