Congenital Nevomelanocytic Nevi

Abstract

Congenital nevomelanocytic nevi (CNN) continue to be the focus of discussion and investigation. The public health implications of CNN are obvious when one considers the prevalence rate of this tumor in the general population (ie, 1% )^1,2 and its estimated risk for developing cutaneous melanoma (ie, as high as 5% by age 60 years).^3-7 The most controversial issue surrounding discussions of the malignant potential of small CNN is the validity of methods used for assessing the nature of the precursor mole that has developed melonoma. In other words, how does one determine that a recognizable variety of melanocytic tumor (ie, small CNN) has developed melanoma? Until now, methods used for the determination of CNN have included history (ie, that a preexisting mole at the site of melanoma was first apparent at birth) and histology (ie, that a nevomelanocytic nevus detected in direct contiguity with