title: Installation of a network for patients with congenital melanocytic nevi in German-speaking countries.
abstract: In 2005, an Internet-based network for the support of patients with congenital melanocytic nevi in German-speaking countries was started (http://www.naevus-netzwerk.de). Along with detailed information for patients and parents, the home-page includes a nevus registry which is based on an electronic questionnaire and which aims at providing data on the long-term course of nevi estimated to reach > 10 cm in largest diameter. In the past, congenital melanocytic nevi have been subject to various mythological interpretations ("Tierfellnävus", lit."animal coat nevus";"Muttermal"). Today an increasing body of reliable scientific data allows a differentiated reflection of the risk of malignant transformation and has led to progress in the diagnostic and therapeutic management. Recent findings from the literature and considerations from scientific meetings are reviewed.
authors.affiliation: Dermatology practice, Lübeck, Germany. sven.krengel@uk-sh.de
authors.forename: Sven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Krengel
authors.forename: Helmut
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Breuninger
authors.forename: Axel
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hauschild
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Höger
authors.forename: Volker
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Merl
authors.forename: Henning
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hamm
mesh_terms: D019058:Community Networks / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D033181:Information Dissemination / Q000379:methods*; D008545:Melanoma / Q000151:congenital / Q000209:etiology*; D009508:Nevus, Pigmented / Q000150:complications* / Q000151:congenital*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods* / Q000458:organization & administration; D012042:Registries; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000151:congenital* / Q000209:etiology