Clinical and histologic features of nevi with emphasis on treatment approaches.

A nevus is a cutaneous lesion characterized histologically by clustering and disorganization of a variety of cell types in the skin including the epidermis, appendages, melanocytes, and their precursor cells. Commonly, a nevus is congenital but it may be acquired. Owing to the prevalence and variations of melanocytic nevi and their association with malignancy, this article discusses the development, classification, histology, and clinical characteristics of nevi with an emphasis on the relationship to malignancy. Recommendations are provided for treatment of these benign lesions.