Multicentric malignant melanoma in a giant melanocytic congenital nevus 20 years after dermabrasion in adulthood.
BACKGROUND
Dermabrasion is one approach to the treatment of treating giant melanocytic congenital nevi. Treatment is recommended to reduce the risk of spontaneous malignant transformation of giant nevi into malignant melanomas that usually occur in childhood.


OBJECTIVE
To describe the development of a multicentric malignant melanoma in a giant melanocytic congenital nevus after dermabrasion.


METHODS
We report about a 46-year-old male patient who developed a multicentric malignant melanoma in a giant melanocytic congenital nevus. The nevus was located on his left shoulder extending to his neck and chest. Previously, dermabrasion of the nevus was performed twice at the ages of 26 and 28.


RESULTS
To our knowledge, this is the first report of malignant transformation of a giant nevus into a multicentric malignant melanoma diagnosed 20 years after the procedure of dermabrasion.


CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that a close follow-up of such patients is mandatory.
Zutt
Markus
M
Department of Dermatology, University of Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany. mzutt@web.de
Kretschmer
Lutz
L
Emmert
Steffen
S
Haenssle
Holger
H
Neumann
Christine
C
Bertsch
Hans Peter
HP
D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009508:Nevus, Pigmented / Q000151:congenital / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D012782:Shoulder; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000151:congenital / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D016038:Skin Transplantation / Q000379:methods*