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Benign Lesions

Melanocytic nevi are commonly called “moles” in the United States, though several other types of nevi or moles also exist (see seborrheic keratosis as one example). True melanocytic nevi are very common and usually benign but they must be monitored for change due to the low risk of transformation into skin cancer. It is estimated that 1:3,000 to 1:10,000 benign nevi may transform into melanoma, a deadly form of skin cancer. Melanoma can may also mimic melanocytic nevi, therefore new and changing brown skin lesions should be evaluated by an expert.

Signs & Symptoms

Melanocytic nevi appear as round or oval, raised or flat spots on the skin. They are made from nests of the pigment-producing cells in the skin called melanocytes. Sun exposure and genetic predisposition are risk factors to develop melanocytic nevi.

Treatment

Lesions confirmed as benign by an expert require no further treatment. Melanocytic nevi are sometimes biopsied when the diagnosis is uncertain. Painful or itchy moles may be treated with a procedure called, "shave removal" but medical insurance coverage of this procedure is not always guaranteed and cosmetic fees for treatment may be necessary.

Reference: Hauschild et al. Melanocytic nevi, J Dtsch Dermatol Ges, 2011. PMID: 21762380

Who We Are

Katherine Hunt, MD, FAAD

Dr. Hunt grew up in Hoover, Alabama and attended Hoover High School. She started her career in business and engineering at the University of Alabama.

As an undergraduate, she gained national attention and was named "USA Today National Academic All-Star" for creating a self-sustaining peer mentoring program which measurably improved students' computer science performance at Alabama.

Her extensive work experience at Huron Consulting Group and GE Healthcare helped her realize that she would be most fulfilled in the field of medicine, helping patients one-on-one.