Case Reports in Dermatological Medicine (Jan 2013)

Giant Congenital Melanocytic Naevus with Proliferative Nodules Mimicking Congenital Malignant Melanoma: A Case Report and Review of the Literature of Congenital Melanoma

  • Massimiliano Scalvenzi,
  • Franco Palmisano,
  • Sara Cacciapuoti,
  • Fiorella Migliaro,
  • Maria Siano,
  • Stefania Staibano,
  • Luigi Tornillo,
  • Claudia Costa

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1155/2013/473635
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 2013

Abstract

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Congenital malignant melanoma (CMM) is a rare condition that is defined as malignant melanoma recognized at birth. CMM may develop in utero in one of three ways: (1) transmission by metastasis through the placenta from a mother with melanoma; (2) primary melanoma arising within a giant congenital melanocytic naevus (GCMN); (3) primary de novo cutaneous CMM arising in utero. CMM can be confused clinically and histologically with benign proliferative melanocytic lesions such as giant congenital nevi. We describe the case of a patient presenting a GCMN with proliferative nodules, clinically and dermoscopically resembling a CMM, demonstrating the importance of caution in making a diagnosis of MM and highlighting the possibility that benign lesions as GCMN can mimic a malignant melanoma in this age group.