Figure 3.
Melanoma may be derived from nevus precursor or form de novo. A) BRAFV600E mutation leads for melanocyte proliferation followed by oncogene-induced senescence, resulting in formation of a benign nevus. At low frequency, nevi transform to melanoma. B) A significant fraction of melanomas form in the absence of a nevus precursor. It has been hypothesized that highly mutated epidermal melanocytes are at high risk for melanoma transformation following BRAFV600E mutation.
From Baykal et al. The spectrum of benign dermal dendritic melanocytic proliferations. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol, 3(6):1029–104183 (A)Brown et al. Spitz Nevus: Review and Update. Clin Plast Surg (4):677–68684 (B)