Living with Large congenital melanocytic nevus
A condition present from birth with a very large, dark, noncancerous skin patch made of pigment cells.
Understanding Large congenital melanocytic nevus
The patch may be small in infants but grows with the body and will eventually be at least 40 cm (about 16 inches) across. It is often on the trunk or limbs. Color ranges from tan to black, and the surface can be flat, rough, raised, or bumpy. The skin may be dry, itchy, thin, or hairy. Some people have additional smaller nevi. Some have neurocutaneous melanosis, with pigment cells in the tissue covering the brain and spinal cord. The look of the nevus may cause worry or stress.
Signs & symptoms
Symptoms vary from person to person. GARD lists these among the most common:
- Large, dark skin patch present from birth
- Dry, itchy skin in the patch
- Extra hair growth in the patch
- Thin skin in the patch
- Additional smaller moles
- Poor wound healing
Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.
Diagnosis
- 1Talk with your doctor
Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.
- 2See a specialist
Specialists who may be involved include cancer specialists, genetic specialists and skin, hair, and nail specialists.
- 3Ask which tests can help
Your care team will decide which exams and tests can confirm the diagnosis.
- 4Connect with expert centers
Melanoma Research Foundation may keep lists of experts for this condition.
Care & treatment
- Care team
- Cancer specialists (oncologists); Genetic specialists (geneticists); Skin, hair, and nail specialists (dermatologists)
- Expert care
- Expert lists: Melanoma Research Foundation
- Treatment
- GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
- Research
- Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.
General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.
Everyday life
Living with a rare condition is easier with support.
- Connect with Melanoma Research Foundation and other patient organizations
- Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
- Ask about patient registries that help research
- Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Quick facts
GARD says changes in genes (also called variants) cause this condition. It does not name specific genes or describe inheritance.
Also known as: bathing trunk nevus; cmns; congenital giant melanocytic nevus; congenital giant pigmented nevus; congenital melanocytic nevi; congenital melanocytic nevus
Patient organizations
- Melanoma Research FoundationLarge congenital melanocytic nevus · United States
- Nevus Outreach, Inc.Large congenital melanocytic nevus · United States
- Children's Skin Disease FoundationSkin diseases · United States
You are more than your diagnosis
Perspectives from people navigating life with Large congenital melanocytic nevus.
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