Is a hairy nevus cancerous?

A hairy nevus that reaches or exceeds 8 inches in diameter by adulthood is called a giant congenital hairy nevus. Larger hairy nevi do have a higher risk of skin cancer, but it’s important not to jump to conclusions before you’ve seen a doctor to diagnose and test the nevi.

What causes giant hairy nevus?

Giant congenital nevi can occur in people of any racial or ethnic background and on any area of the body. They result from localized genetic changes in the fetus that lead to excessive growth of melanocytes, the cells in the skin that are responsible for skin color.

Can giant nevus be removed?

The removal of a giant congenital nevus requires incisions around the edge of the visible lesion, including a small rim of normal tissue to help ensure complete removal. The involved skin will be removed full-thickness through the skin and into the subcutaneous tissues.

How rare is a giant nevus?

Small to medium CMN are predicted to occur in more than one in a hundred births. Large and especially giant CMN, exceeding a predicted diameter at adult age of at least 20 cm on the body, form a much rarer subset, with prevalence estimated at around 1 in 50,000 births.

Is giant hairy nevus hereditary?

Inheritance. This condition is generally not inherited but arises from a mutation in the body’s cells that occurs after conception. This alteration is called a somatic mutation. A somatic mutation in one copy of the NRAS or BRAF gene is sufficient to cause this disorder.

Is giant hairy nevus premalignant?

Large and especially giant congenital nevi are at higher risk for malignancy degeneration into melanoma. Because of the premalignant potential, it is an acceptable clinical practice to remove congenital nevi electively in all patients and relieve the nevocytic overload.

Can you get rid of a hairy nevus?

Is Removal Possible? Small nevi can be removed by simple surgical excision. The nevus is cut out, and the adjacent skin stitched together leaving a small scar. Removal of a large congenital nevus, however, requires replacement of the affected skin.

Can a hairy nevus be removed?