Question:medium
A melanocytic nevus of which type is most likely to undergo malignant transformation?
A melanocytic nevus of which type is most likely to undergo malignant transformation?
Show Hint
Malignant change risk is highest where nevus cells are still active, right at the dermo-epidermal junction.
Updated On: Jul 8, 2026
- Blue nevus
- Junctional
- Epidermal
- Deep dermal
Show Solution
The Correct Option is B
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Ordinary moles are grouped by where the nests of pigment cells sit: right at the join between epidermis and dermis, spread across both layers, or settled deep in the dermis alone. The question wants the group most prone to becoming malignant.
Step 2: Key Formula or Approach:
Match malignant risk to how active and superficial the melanocyte nests are. Cells still sitting at the junction are the most biologically active.
Step 3: Detailed Explanation:
In a junctional nevus, the nevus cells stay right at the dermo-epidermal junction, a zone that stays proliferative rather than settling down. This ongoing activity is why junctional nevi, and the junctional part of compound nevi, are singled out as the highest risk group for turning malignant.
A blue nevus sits deep, made of pigment-heavy spindle cells, and almost always behaves in a benign, quiet way.
An "epidermal" designation does not belong to the standard melanocyte nest grouping used here, since true epidermal nevi come from surface skin cells, not from melanocytes, so this option is a mismatch for the classification being tested.
A deep dermal or intradermal nevus keeps its cells buried in the dermis, away from the more active junction zone, so these are considered mature and low risk for change.
Step 4: Final Answer:
The junctional nevus, with its melanocytes still active at the epidermal-dermal border, carries the greatest risk of malignant transformation.
$\boxed{\text{Junctional}}$
Ordinary moles are grouped by where the nests of pigment cells sit: right at the join between epidermis and dermis, spread across both layers, or settled deep in the dermis alone. The question wants the group most prone to becoming malignant.
Step 2: Key Formula or Approach:
Match malignant risk to how active and superficial the melanocyte nests are. Cells still sitting at the junction are the most biologically active.
Step 3: Detailed Explanation:
In a junctional nevus, the nevus cells stay right at the dermo-epidermal junction, a zone that stays proliferative rather than settling down. This ongoing activity is why junctional nevi, and the junctional part of compound nevi, are singled out as the highest risk group for turning malignant.
A blue nevus sits deep, made of pigment-heavy spindle cells, and almost always behaves in a benign, quiet way.
An "epidermal" designation does not belong to the standard melanocyte nest grouping used here, since true epidermal nevi come from surface skin cells, not from melanocytes, so this option is a mismatch for the classification being tested.
A deep dermal or intradermal nevus keeps its cells buried in the dermis, away from the more active junction zone, so these are considered mature and low risk for change.
Step 4: Final Answer:
The junctional nevus, with its melanocytes still active at the epidermal-dermal border, carries the greatest risk of malignant transformation.
$\boxed{\text{Junctional}}$
Was this answer helpful?
0
