Junctional nevi are benign skin growths made up of melanocytes that produce melanin. They can appear anywhere on the skin and are more common in fair-skinned people. While they are not cancerous, changes in appearance should be monitored as they can develop into malignant melanoma. If a mole shows signs of possible malignancy, it should be checked by a doctor. Treatment for malignant melanoma involves removing the mole and examining it under a microscope.
A junctional nevus, sometimes called a mole, is a type of benign or noncancerous skin growth. It is typically dark brown, flattened and rounded in appearance. There are different types of nevus, plural, originating from different layers of the skin, and the cells that form these growths are located around the junction between the epidermis, or outer layer, and the underlying dermis. While junctional nevi aren’t cancerous per se, it’s important to note any changes in their appearance, because there’s a small risk that they could develop into a type of skin cancer known as malignant melanoma.
Junctional nevi are members of a group of nevi called melanocytic nevi. Melanocytic nevi are made up of cells known as melanocytes. Melanocytes produce melanin, a pigment that gives skin its color, and where they clump together the skin appears darker, giving the growth its typical appearance.
These growths can appear anywhere on the skin and can occur throughout life, although as people get older, fewer of them are produced and existing moles also tend to disappear. The number of junctional nevi on a person’s skin can vary, from a handful to several hundred, and they are generally more common in fair-skinned people and those who were exposed to the sun in childhood. They are usually quite small, typically up to just over a quarter of an inch (about 7 mm), and the color can be anything from tan to black-brown. While everyone typically has only a small risk of turning into malignant melanoma, for some people who have relatives with cancer, that risk is increased.
Signs that a junctional nevus may be changing to become malignant or cancerous include cases of itching, pain, or bleeding, changes in shape or color, especially where symmetry is lost or edges become irregular, and changes in size. Occasionally, instead of becoming malignant, a junctional nevus can develop into what is called a compound nevus. Compound nevi typically protrude slightly more above the skin surface, but their overall size is similar. There may be variations in colour, with darker areas found in the centre, but their appearance is roughly symmetrical. Compound nevi are usually benign growths that don’t require treatment.
If a junctional nevus, or any mole, shows signs associated with a possible malignant change, it should always be checked by a doctor. When malignant melanoma is suspected, the usual treatment is to completely cut out the mole before examining it under a microscope. Where no evidence of cancer is found, no further treatment is needed. If malignant melanoma is diagnosed, the outlook depends on how far it has progressed. In cases where the melanoma has been removed before it has spread, a cure is possible.
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