Nevocellular nevus
A common type of benign skin lesion
| Nevocellular nevus | |
|---|---|
| [[File:|250px|alt=|]] | |
| Synonyms | Melanocytic nevus, Mole |
| Pronounce | N/A |
| Field | Dermatology |
| Symptoms | Pigmented skin lesion |
| Complications | Rarely malignant transformation |
| Onset | Childhood or adolescence |
| Duration | Lifelong |
| Types | N/A |
| Causes | Genetic factors, UV exposure |
| Risks | Family history, fair skin |
| Diagnosis | Clinical examination, Dermatoscopy, Biopsy |
| Differential diagnosis | Melanoma, Seborrheic keratosis, Lentigo |
| Prevention | N/A |
| Treatment | Observation, surgical removal if necessary |
| Medication | N/A |
| Prognosis | Excellent |
| Frequency | Very common |
| Deaths | N/A |
A nevocellular nevus, also known as a melanocytic nevus or commonly as a mole, is a type of benign skin lesion that arises from melanocytes, the cells responsible for producing melanin, the pigment that gives skin its color. These lesions are typically pigmented and can appear anywhere on the body.
Characteristics[edit | edit source]
Nevocellular nevi are usually well-defined, round or oval, and can be flat or raised. They vary in color from light brown to black and can be present at birth (congenital) or develop later in life (acquired). Most nevi are harmless, but some can develop into melanoma, a type of skin cancer.
Causes[edit | edit source]
The development of nevocellular nevi is influenced by a combination of genetic factors and ultraviolet (UV) radiation exposure. Individuals with a family history of nevi or those with fair skin are at higher risk.
Diagnosis[edit | edit source]
Diagnosis is primarily based on clinical examination. Dermatoscopy can be used to examine the lesion more closely. In some cases, a biopsy may be performed to rule out malignancy.
Treatment[edit | edit source]
Most nevocellular nevi do not require treatment unless they show signs of change, such as asymmetry, border irregularity, color variation, diameter greater than 6mm, or evolving shape and size (ABCDE criteria). If necessary, they can be surgically removed.
Prognosis[edit | edit source]
The prognosis for individuals with nevocellular nevi is excellent, as these lesions are generally benign. However, regular monitoring is recommended to detect any changes that might indicate malignant transformation.
Related Pages[edit | edit source]
 | This dermatology article is a stub. You can help WikiMD by expanding it. |
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
