What are the Medical Challenges
Pigmented moles can be more than skin deep. Challenges include decreased body cooling (fewer functioning sweat glands), and too little fat where the nevus is located. Large nevi can be delicate and tear easily, requiring restricted activity. In a small percentage of cases pigment cells can be found in the brain and spinal cord - a complication of large nevi called neurocutaneous melanocytosis - which can be fatal, but usually is not. People with large nevi have a higher risk of skin cancer. Nevus Outreach is working to identify the exact risk of skin cancer, and is conducting scientific research to find a cure. Since so little is understood about large nevi even by doctors, Nevus Outreach works to educate the medical profession about large nevi.
