title: Proliferative nodules with balloon-cell change in a large congenital melanocytic nevus.
abstract: The balloon-cell nevus was first described over 100 years ago. Since then, balloon-cell changes of melanocytes have been noted in numerous tumors, including melanoma, blue nevus, and Spitz nevus. Whether these changes reflect cellular deterioration or proliferative changes is a matter of debate. We report a case in which balloon-cell changes were found within proliferative nodules occurring in a large congenital melanocytic nevus.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA 23507, USA.
authors.forename: Joseph W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: McGowan
authors.forename: Molly K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ryan
authors.forename: Antoinette F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Hood
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008544:Melanocytes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology*; D009508:Nevus, Pigmented / Q000737:chemistry / Q000151:congenital* / Q000473:pathology*; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry / Q000151:congenital* / Q000473:pathology*
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor