Neoplasms of the Skin

Nevi (singular nevus), also known as “moles,” are benign neoplasms of the skin. Nevus is a non-specific medical term because it encompasses both congenital and acquired lesions, hyper- and hypopigmented lesions, and raised or flat lesions. Additionally, nevi can be found within different depths of the layers of the skin and originate from various types of cells (e.g., melanocytic, connective tissue, vascular). Nevi also have a wide variety of characteristic forms, which must be well understood in order to differentiate nevi from malignant melanoma. In this concept page, we will cover the basic classifications and most common types of nevi as well as the clinical criteria used to assess them.