First documented in 1948 by US dermatologist Samuel William Becker (1894-1964), Becker's nevus (also naevus; pl. nevi or naevi) is a skin disorder predominantly affecting males. The nevus first appears as an irregular pigmentation (melanosis or hyperpigmentation) on the torso or upper arm, and gradually enlarges irregularly, becoming thickened and often hairy (hypertrichosis). It is also known as Becker nevus, Becker's pigmented hairy nevus, Becker pigmented hairy nevus, Becker melanosis and pigmented hairy epidermal nevus.

Clinical Information

Medical knowledge and documentation of this disorder is inextensive, likely due to a combination of factors including recent discovery, low prevalence, and the more or less aesthetic nature of the effects of the disease. Thus the pathophysiology of Becker's nevus remains unclear. While it is generally considered an acquired rather than congenital disorder, there exists at least one case report documenting what researchers claim is a congenital Becker's nevus with genetic association: a 16-month-old boy with a hyperpigmented lesion on his right shoulder whose father has a similar lesion on his right shoulder.

The apparently most extensive study to date (a 1981 survey of nearly 20,000 young Frenchmen ) served to disprove many commonly-held beliefs about the disease. In the French study, 100 subjects were found to have Becker's nevi, revealing a prevalence of 0.52%. Nevi appeared in one half the subjects before the age of 10, and between ages 10 and 20 in the rest. In one quarter of cases exposure sun appears to have played a role, a number apparently lower than that expected by researchers. Also surprising to researchers was the low incidence (32%) of Becker's nevi above the nipples, for it had generally been believed that the upper chest and shoulder area was the predominant site of occurrence. Pigmentation was light brown in 75% of cases, and average size of the nevus was 125cm².

Malignancy

A 1991 report documented the cases of nine patients with both Becker's nevus and malignant melanoma. Of the nine melanomas, five were in the same body area as the Becker's nevus, with only one occurring within the nevus itself. As this was apparently the first documented co-occurence of the two diseases, there is so far no evidence of higher malignancy rates in Becker's nevi versus normal skin. Nonetheless, as with any abnormal skin growth, the nevus should be monitored regularly and any sudden changes in appearance brought to the attention of one's doctor or nurse specialist.

Treatment

As Becker's nevus is considered a benign lesion, treatment is generally not necessary except for cosmetic purposes. Shaving or trimming can be effective in removing unwanted hair, while laser hair removal may offer a longer-lasting solution. Different types of laser treatments may also be effective in elimination or reduction of hyperpigmentation, though the results of laser treatments for both hair and pigment reduction appear to be highly variable.

Read more at Wikipedia.org

• [List your site here Free!]

IN MOVIES, ACTORS EMOTE BY THE SKIN OF THEIR TEETH
From Spokesman Review, The (Spokane), 4/13/96 by Compiled by staff writer Dan Webster

If you're a regular Web-browser, maybe you've come across Vail Reese's new Dermatology in the Cinema site (http://itsa.ucsf.edu/ vcr/ Dermcin.html).

San Francisco Chronicle columnist Leah Garchik quotes Reese's manifesto: "As a dermatologist and a film buff, I've found a series of skin conditions featured in movies."

No kidding. Here are just three: Marilyn Monroe: Facial mole, which puts her in the same category as Sherilynn Fenn and Robert De Niro. Angela Bassett: Traction alopecia, or frontal hair loss, as seen in the movie "Strange Days" and probably caused by the tight braiding of her corn rows. Richard Gere: Becker's nevus, a "benign birthmark lesion (that) develops on the upper back of some men at puberty." Loose talk Gay actor/ playwright Harvey Fierstein on Martha Stewart (in the Chicago magazine Outlines): "You know there is a gay man trapped in her body! She has learned how to take gay skills and massmarket them to straight women." Eddie, Lumpy and The Beave all send their regards Tony Dow turns 51 today. George will give us some of Demi but we want Moore Forget that rumor about Demi Moore posing for the cover of George magazine with her breasts painted red, white and blue. USA Today reports that Moore indeed will be on George's cover, but her family jewels will be appropriately clothed. But even they couldn't fake one of her bussing Charles After Queen Elizabeth complained about a British cable-TV station ad that faked a photo of Princess Diana kissing soccer star Paul Gascoigne, the station responded by doing Di one better. It faked a photo of her kissing rugby star Will Carling, whose wife is divorcing him because of an alleged affair with the royal waif. Hopper is the greatest actor since, uh, Victor Mature Dennis Hopper, honeymooning in Venice and Florence with wife No. 5, Victoria Duffy, is headed for Morocco April 28 for shooting of the made-for-television version of "Samson and Delilah." Eric Thal ("The Puppetmasters") and Elizabeth Hurley will play the title characters. In the garden with Chris Darden, there's my Ford Bronco The concept behind Alan Katz's "The Cat Not in the Hat! A Parody" (Dove Books; $7.95), illustrated by Chris Wrinn, is a look at the O.J. Simpson trial told in Dr. Seuss-type rhymes. As in, "Remember the gloves? They didn't fit and because that's so, you must acquit!" For tax-cheaters, the tide is definitely high New Jersey is using a chorus from the 1978 Blondie song "One Way or Another" to publicize a tax amnesty plan. Blondie lead singer Debbie Harry thinks it's a good idea. "As far as creating an amnesty for people with back taxes, I think it's a pretty nice thing," Harry said. The commercial features her chorus: "One way or another... I'm gonna find you, I'm gonna getcha, getcha, getcha, getcha."

Return to Becker's nevus

Home

Contact

Resources

Exchange Links

ebay