Giant Congenital Pigmented Nevi of the Face: Operative Management and Risk of Malignancy

Abstract

Giant congenital pigmented nevi of the face are rare but of major consequence. Complete early excision of these lesions is recommended not only because of the cosmetic deformity they impose but also because of their life threatening potential for malignant transformation. At the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto 19 patients with giant congenital nevi of the face were reviewed. The anatomical location of the lesions, their morphological and histological characteristics, and the authors’ experience with surgical management of these lesions were evaluated. The risk of malignancy arising from these lesions was also evaluated. In this study, one patient died of leptomeningeal melanocytosis associated with her giant congenital nevus of the face. Although an accurate incidence of malignant transformation has not been determined, the risk of malignancy in congenital giant facial nevi must be considered.