title: A malignant melanoma associated with a blue nevus of the lip.
abstract: Blue nevi are characterized by a collection of pigment-producing melanocytes in the dermis. These lesions clinically present as well demarcated cerulean-blue or bluish black colored papules or plaques that usually measure less than 1 cm in diameter. They are typically found on the dorsal surface of the hands and feet or in the head and neck region; however, they are rarely found in the oral cavity. These lesions are usually benign and stable over time. However, malignant melanomas developing in or associated with a blue nevus (which is also called malignant blue nevus) have been only rarely reported. A malignant blue nevus might develop in a common blue or cellular blue nevus, a giant congenital nevus or in a nevus of Ota, or it may be malignant from the start. Malignant blue nevi most commonly are found on the scalp. A malignant blue nevus of the lip has not been previously reported in the medical literature. We report here on a patient with a malignant melanoma associated with a blue nevus of the lip. The malignant melanoma was presumed to have developed from a blue nevus that was present on the upper lip of a 50-year-old male.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Gachon University of Medicine and Science, Gil Hospital, Incheon, Korea.
authors.forename: Hye Young
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: So Young
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Na
authors.forename: Young Min
authors.initials: YM
authors.lastname: Son
authors.forename: Hong Kyu
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.forename: Jin Ok
authors.initials: JO
authors.lastname: Baek
authors.forename: Jong Rok
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Joo Young
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Roh