Giant congenital nevus

Answer 1

Definition

A congenital pigmented or melanocytic nevus is a dark colored, often hairy patch of skin that is present at birth.

Smaller in infants and children, they usually continue to grow along with the child. A giant pigmented nevus is larger than 8 inches once it stops growing.

Alternative Names

Congenital giant pigmented nevus; Giant hairy nevus; Giant pigmented nevus; Bathing trunk nevus; Congenital melanocytic nevus - large

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Bathing trunk nevi are thought to be caused by defects or problems that occur as a baby grows in the womb. However, in some families bathing trunk nevus may be inherited.

Bathing trunk nevus may occur with:

• Growth of fatty tissue cells (lipomas)
• Neurofibromatosis
• Other nevi
• Spina bifida

Smaller congenital pigmented or melanocytic nevi can be common in children and are less dangerous. However, larger or giant nevi are fairly rare.

Symptoms

A nevus will appear as dark-colored patch with any of the following:

• Brown to bluish-black color
• May contain hair
• Skin surface may be smooth to irregular or wart-like
• Borders of these lesions are regular or uneven
• Small, satellite areas (maybe)

They are commonly found on the upper or lower parts of the back or the abdomen. They may also be found on the arms, legs and elsewhere on the body, including the palms, soles, and even the mucous membranes or mouth.

Signs and tests

All birthmarks should be evaluated by your health care provider. A biopsy of suspicious areas may be obtained for examination to determine if the cells have become cancerous. An MRI of the brain might be performed if the lesion is over the spine.

Treatment

Treatment consists of frequent examination to check for skin cancers and, when possible, surgery to remove the nevus. Skin grafting is done when necessary. Larger nevi may need to be removed in several stages.

Lasers and dermabrasion (link) can also be used to improve the appearance. However, using these techniques may not remove the entire birthmark, and may make it harder to diagnose skin cancer (melanoma).

Psychological treatment can help with the emotional impact of having a disfiguring disorder.

Expectations (prognosis)

Skin cancer (such as malignant melanoma and other types) may develop in up to 15% (1 out of 6) of people with larger or giant nevi, often in childhood. The risk is higher for larger or giant congenital nevi located on the back or abdomen.

Complications

• Depression and other emotional problems (due to appearance)
• Skin cancer (melanoma)

Rarely, bathing trunk nevi occur with a condition that causes a growth of pigment-producing cells in the head (leptomeningeal melanocytosis). Complications include:

• Hydrocephalus
• Motor abnormalities
• Seizures

Calling your health care provider

This condition is usually diagnosed at birth. Call for an appointment with your health care provider (or mention it during a well-baby exam) if your child has a large pigmented area anywhere on the skin.

References

Bett BJ. Large or multiple congential melanocytic nevi: Occurence of neurocutaneous melanocytosis in 1008 persons. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2006 May;54(5):767-777.

James WD, Berger TG, Elston DM, eds. Melanocytic Nevi and Neoplasms. Andrews' Disease of the Skin: Clinical Dermatology. 10th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2005:chap 30.

Answer 2

Definition

A congenital pigmented or melanocytic nevus is a dark-colored, often hairy patch of skin that is present at birth.

A giant congenital nevus is smaller in infants and children, but it usually continues to grow with the child. A giant pigmented nevus is larger than 8 inches once it stops growing.

Alternative Names

Congenital giant pigmented nevus; Giant hairy nevus; Giant pigmented nevus; Bathing trunk nevus; Congenital melanocytic nevus - large

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Bathing trunk nevi are thought to be caused by defects or problems that occur as a baby grows in the womb. However, in some families bathing trunk nevi may be inherited.

A bathing trunk nevus may occur with:

• Growth of fatty tissue cells (lipomas)
• Neurofibromatosis
• Other nevi
• Spina bifida

Smaller congenital pigmented or melanocytic nevi are common in children and lead to fewer complications. Larger or giant nevi are fairly rare.

Symptoms

A nevus will appear as dark-colored patch with any of the following:

• Brown to bluish-black color
• Hair
• Regular or uneven borders
• Small satellite areas (maybe)
• Smooth, irregular, or wart-like skin surface

Nevi are commonly found on the upper or lower parts of the back or the abdomen. They may also be found on the:

• Arms
• Legs
• Mouth
• Mucus membranes
• Palms or soles

Signs and tests

All birthmarks should be evaluated by your health care provider. A skin biopsy may be taken for examination to determine whether the cells have become cancerous.

An MRI of the brain might be performed if the skin lesion is over the spine. There also may be problems in the brain when a giant nevus is found on the spine.

Treatment

Treatment involves frequent exams to check for skin cancers.

When possible, surgery to remove the nevus will be done. Skin grafting is done when needed. Larger nevi may need to be removed in several stages.

Lasers and dermabrasion can also be used to improve the appearance. However, using these techniques may not remove the entire birthmark, and may make it harder to diagnose skin cancer (melanoma). For these reasons, surgery is controversial.

Psychological treatment can help with the emotional impact of having a disfiguring disorder.

Expectations (prognosis)

Skin cancer (such as malignant melanoma and other types) may develop in up to 15% (1 out of 6) of people with larger or giant nevi, often in childhood. The risk is higher for larger or giant congenital nevi located on the back or abdomen.

Complications

• Depression and other emotional problems (due to appearance)
• Skin cancer (melanoma)

Rarely, bathing trunk nevi occur with a condition that causes a growth of pigment-producing cells in the head (leptomeningeal melanocytosis). Complications include:

• Hydrocephalus
• Motor abnormalities
• Seizures

Calling your health care provider

This condition is usually diagnosed at birth. Call for an appointment with your health care provider (or mention it during a well-baby exam) if your child has a large pigmented area anywhere on the skin.

References

Bett BJ. Large or multiple congenital melanocytic nevi: Occurence of neurocutaneous melanocytosis in 1008 persons. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2006 May;54(5):767-777.

Congenital melanocytic nevi. In: Habif TP, ed. Clinical Dermatology. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2009:pp 850-851.

Reviewed By

Review Date: 10/08/2010

Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by Kevin Berman, MD, PhD, Atlanta Center for Dermatologic Disease, Atlanta, GA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.