title: Diagnosing and treating congenital melanocytic nevus simulating malignant melanoma.
abstract: Many cases reported as malignant melanomas arising in benign congenital melanocytic nevi in the neonatal period have not shown evidence of metastases after several years of follow-up. These lesions were probably pathologically misdiagnosed, thus creating a controversy regarding the precise incidence. This article describes the case of an infant with a giant melanocytic nevus simulating malignant melanoma to illustrate the proper criteria for diagnosis of this condition so extensive and unnecessary therapy procedures can be avoided.
authors.affiliation: Section of Dermatology, Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center of West Virginia University, Morgantown, USA.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kovach
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hochberg
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ardenghy
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Deangelis
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Welton
mesh_terms: D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D009508:Nevus, Pigmented / Q000151:congenital* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000151:congenital* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery