dys·plas·tic ne·vus

a nevus exceeding 5 mm in diameter, with irregular, indistinct, or notched borders and mixed tan-to-black and pink-to-red color. Microscopically these are basally nested and scattered intraepidermal melanocytes with hyperchromatic nuclei larger than those of basal keratinocytes. If multiple and associated with a family history of melanoma, these nevi have a high risk of malignant change, but isolated dysplastic nevi in the absence of a family history of melanoma are less frequently premalignant.
See also: malignant mole syndrome.

Synonym(s): dysplastic nevus syndrome

See: dysplastic nevus syndrome.

Farlex Partner Medical Dictionary © Farlex 2012

dys·plas·tic ne·vus syn·drome

(dis-plas'tik nē'vŭs sin'drōm)

Clinically atypical nevi having variable pigmentation and ill-defined borders, with an increased risk for development of cutaneous malignant melanoma; biopsies show melanocytic dysplasia.

Medical Dictionary for the Health Professions and Nursing © Farlex 2012

Dysplastic nevus syndrome

A familial syndrome characterized by the presence of multiple atypical appearing moles, often at a young age.

Mentioned in: Malignant Melanoma

Mentioned in

References in periodicals archive

Dysplastic nevus syndrome: a phenotypic association of sporadic cutaneous melanoma.

A Practical Approach to the Diagnosis of Melanocytic Lesions

The ABCDEFs of nail melanoma Letter Meaning: Subungual Meaning: Cutaneous A Age: Peak 5th-7th decades Asymmetry Race: African American, Native American, Asian B Band (nail band): Brown-black Border: Irregular/ Breadth: [greater than or equal to] 3 mm poorly defined Border: Irregular/blurred C Change: Rapid increase in size Color: Varied D Digit involved: Thumb > hallux Diameter: > 6 mm Single digit > multiple digits E Extension of pigment Evolving to involve nail folds (changing) F Family or personal history: Previous Funny looking melanoma or dysplastic nevus syndrome (ugly duckling) Note: Adapted from CA Cancer J Clin.

Melanonychia: The good, the bad, and the confusing

Dimov, "Primary gallbladder melanoma in dysplastic nevus syndrome: Report of case and literature review," The Turkish Journal of Gastroenterology, vol.

Clinicohistopathological Characteristics of Malignant Melanoma in the Gall Bladder: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

"There's a condition called dysplastic nevus syndrome, where individuals with multiple clinically atypical looking moles need careful vigilance; again I'd recommend caution with sun exposure, and definitely avoiding burning."

Sun safety first for little ones; Want fun in the sun without the worry? Take care of tots and youngsters with this expert guide from ABI JACKSON

Dysplastic nevus syndrome is a distinct disorder that is inherited in an autosomal dominant manner.

Tracking melanoma's genetic tentacles

Sporadic dysplastic nevus syndrome is a spontaneous mutation that increases the relative risk of malignancy up to 46 times that of the general population, he said.

Nevi syndromes increase risk of melanoma

In 1978, dysplastic nevus syndrome was described in a family that had many melanomas.

Saving your skin: despite public-health campaigns, skin cancer is on the rise in the U.S., with more than one million cases diagnosed each year. A noted dermatologist gives advice on how best to avoid harmful exposure to the sun

Long-term surveillance, however, is crucial for agminated blue nevi, especially if the individual has dysplastic nevus syndrome. If the involved nevi develop any features of atypia, a biopsy should be performed to assess for the development of a melanoma.

Agminated blue nevi

(44) Dysplastic nevi can be sporadic or inherited in an autosomal dominant fashion (dysplastic nevus syndrome), and both are related to increased risk for developing melanoma.

Melanoma in children

It is not clear if patients with dysplastic nevus syndrome have higher incidence of conjunctival nevi.

Cytogenetic analysis of conjunctival melanoma in a patient with dysplastic nevus syndrome revealed a clonal 1;14 translocation.

Prevalence of primary acquired melanosis and nevi of the conjunctiva and uvea in the dysplastic nevus syndrome: a case-control study.

Melanocytic lesions of the conjunctiva