Pathologists use the term atypical melanocytic proliferation when they see a skin lesion made up of melanocytes (the cells that produce pigment) that does not look completely normal under the microscope. These lesions show some unusual or atypical features but do not have all the features needed to confidently label them as benign (non-cancerous) or …
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A nevus (plural: nevi) is a medical term used to describe a growth or spot on the skin that develops from melanocytes. Melanocytes are the cells in the skin that produce melanin, the pigment responsible for skin and hair colour. Most nevi are harmless and commonly called moles, though the term nevus includes various pigmented …
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A junctional nevus is a non-cancerous skin tumour made up of specialized cells called melanocytes. Melanocytes produce melanin, the pigment that gives skin its colour. The term “junctional” is used because the melanocytes in a junctional nevus are located at the junction between the epidermis and the dermis. This type of growth is commonly called …
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What is a Spitz nevus? A Spitz nevus is a non-cancerous skin tumour and a type of mole. Like other types of moles, these tumours are made up of specialized cells called melanocytes that are normally found in a part of the skin called the epidermis. The nevus is named after Dr. Sophie Spitz, a …
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A congenital nevus is a common, non-cancerous skin tumour made up of melanocytes, cells responsible for producing melanin, the pigment that gives skin its colour. Congenital nevi (the plural of nevus) are usually present at birth or develop within the first year of life, which is why they are called “congenital.” Another name for this …
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