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Giornale Italiano di Dermatologia e Venereologia 2003 February;138(1):19-24

Copyright © 2003 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

Giant nevus: a still unsettled clinical and therapeutical question

Bracaglia R., Simone P.

Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, “Policlinico A. Gemelli” University Hospital, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy

Giant nevus is a congenital melanocytic disembryoplasia involving skin and subcutaneous tissues, which implies serious clinical and therapeutical questions given the potential malignant transformation, considerable cosmetic deformity and inherent psychosocial consequences. Treatment of these lesions represents a huge challenge for the surgeon who aims at reducing the risk of melanomatous transformation and at improving the appearance of the patient. Surgical excision is the safest way of removing potentially malignant cells, nevertheless it is not always feasible and cosmetic results are often unsatisfactory. The authors, on the basis of literature and personal experience, review clinical and therapeutical aspects.