Congenital melanocytic nevi (CMN) carry an increased risk of melanoma and may be disfiguring, and consensus regarding treatment recommendations is lacking. While clinical monitoring is the standard of care, many caregivers are interested in its removal to prevent psychosocial burden or to decrease risk. Although melanoma can occur regardless of CMN removal, there are a variety of treatments that may offer improved cosmesis or local symptom control, including surgical excision, laser therapy, and other superficially destructive techniques. Regardless of the selected management, these patients are monitored for ongoing melanoma risk. An extensive discussion with families regarding the risks and benefits of observation versus active intervention is essential. To facilitate these discussions, we herein summarize current CMN management strategies and considerations.
Keywords: congenital melanocytic nevus; cryotherapy; curettage; dermabrasion; disease management; laser therapy; melanoma; neurocutaneous melanocytosis; review; surgery.