What does vulvar Melanosis look like?

What does vulvar Melanosis look like?

Vulvar melanosis is characterized by asymmetrical, tan-brown to black, irregularly bordered macules of variable size on the vulvar mucosa.

What does melanoma look like under dermoscopy?

Characteristically, superficial melanoma is asymmetrical and irregular in shape and structure. Superficial melanomas usually have one or more of the following dermoscopic features: Blue-white veil. Multiple brown dots.

Is vulvar Melanosis curable?

Vulvar melanosis is a condition in which intensely pigmented irregular macules, clinically mimicking malignant melanoma, appear on the vulva. A biopsy specimen shows only marked lower epidermal pigmentation without any melanocytic atypia or nesting. The process is benign, and reassurance is the only treatment.

Is vulvar Melanosis bad?

Vulvar melanosis is the most frequent lesion among these pigmented disorders. Vulvar melanosis usually occurs in white women and has an unknown etiology. Even though vulvar melanosis has a benign prognosis, it causes concern to the patient and to the physician, owing to its melanoma-like presentation.

Is vulvar Melanosis normal?

Vulvar melanosis is a common pigmentary change that accounts for most pigmented vulvar lesions. It presents as single or multiple asymptomatic macules or patches of varying size and color that may be asymmetric with poorly defined borders.

Does melanosis grow?

Racial melanosis of the conjunctiva should not grow. A nevus of the conjunctiva does not typically grow (except at puberty). They do not usually extend onto the cornea or develop large feeder blood vessels.

Can Melanosis become melanoma?

In contrast, iris melanosis is a benign (non-cancerous) change in the iris pigment, often golden-brown in color. Iris melanosis can in some cases become iris melanoma, but not always.

How do you get vulvar melanoma?

Risk factors

1. Increasing age. The risk of vulvar cancer increases with age, though it can occur at any age.
2. Being exposed to human papillomavirus (HPV).
3. Smoking.
4. Having a weakened immune system.
5. Having a history of precancerous conditions of the vulva.
6. Having a skin condition involving the vulva.

Is vulvar Melanosis itchy?

Most women with vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN) have no symptoms at all. When a woman with VIN does have a symptom, it is most often itching that does not go away or get better. An area of VIN may look different from normal vulvar skin. It is often thicker and lighter than the normal skin around it.