ARTICLE
TITLE

Giant Congenital Melanocytic Nevus (GCMN) - A New Hope for Targeted Therapy?

SUMMARY

We present a 6-month-old male patient, who was consulted with dermatologist by his parents, because of a pigmented lesion, present since birth, covering almost the all skin of the back and buttocks.  A sharply bordered, unequally coloured congenital pigmented nevus, measuring approximately 21 cm in diameter was observed in the whole body skin examination. The lesion was affecting the lower 2/3 of the skin of the back and the top half of the gluteus area, extending to the lateral part of the tors, forward the abdomen and the upper lateral part of the hips, composed by multiple darker-pigmented nests and several lighter areas, with single depigmented zones, hairy surface, irregularly infiltrated on palpation. Congenital melanocytic nevi are presented in approximately 1% of newborns, while giant congenital melanocytic nevi (GCMN) are the most uncommon subtype of them; with occurrence rate 1 in 50,000 births. They affect 2% of a total body surface or presenting in a diameter larger than 20 cm in older children. Although not common, the possible malignant transformation remains one of the most important considerations related to them, as the related lifetime risk of melanoma is 4% to 10%. Treatment recommendations include non-surgical methods as dermabrasion only within the first two weeks of life, for prevention the possible melanocytic deeper migration, while serial surgical excisions or tissue expanders could be useful treatment tool even in later stages. Nevertheless, cosmetic result is not always satisfactory, and the risk of malignant changes remains, in cases of previous melanocytic migration in deeper layer. Recent article suggests the potential role in the treatment of GCMN with NRAS inhibitor trametinib, approved for treatment of advanced melanoma, associated with underlying NRAS mutations. Although promising, the drug could be useful in paediatric patients, only with associated NRAS gene mutation. It is still unclear whether it could be helpful, independent of the NRAS status.

 Articles related

Hanggoro Tri Rinonce Pieri Kumaladewi, Siti Iqbalwati Rochadi, Mei Neni Sitaresmi, Soeripto    

Fetus in fetu is a form of monozygotic diamniotic twin pregnancy where the parasitic twin installs and grows in the body of its partner. It is a rare condition, with a reported incidence of 1 in 500.000 live births. The majority of these cases occur in c... see more


Larissa L. Garcia,Fernanda L. Lomanto,Felipe Simões da Rocha Mata,Dilton Mendonça    

Background: Splenic cysts are rare in children. They are classified into primary and secondary, also called pseudocysts. The primary feature capsule and can be congenital, vascular or neoclassical. The diagnosis, in most cases, is incidental be... see more