Nevogenesis - Mechanisms and Clinical Implications of Nevus Development

The 'Abtropfung' theory that nevi develop through the migration of nevus cells from the epidermis to the dermis prevailed for almost a century until the 'Hochsteigerung' theory postulated the reverse pattern of migration. Most recently, however, new insights gained from epidemiology, cross-sectional and longitudinal studies of nevi, dermoscopy and confocal microscopy, and cellular and molecular studies have brought into question both of these theories. This book provides a comprehensive guide to current knowledge about nevogenesis by presenting these latest advances and in addition discusses issues yet to be resolved. It will assist practicing physicians in effectively managing patients with a variety of nevi and will also be of great value to researchers in the field. Importantly, since nevi are associated with an increased risk of melanoma, understanding nevogenesis may help to unravel some of the mysteries of melanomagenesis.

Ashfaq Marghoob, MD, graduated in 1987 from the School of Medicine, State University of New York at Stony Brook, where he later performed his Residency in Dermatology. He was appointed Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Dermatology at Stony Brook in 1995 and Associate Professor of Dermatology in 2005. Dr. Marghoob currently works at the Memorial Hospital for Cancer and Allied Diseases and is an Associate Member of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. He has been the recipient of various honors and awards, including a Physician's Recognition Award from the American Medical Association, and is included in The Best Doctors in America. Dr. Marghoob has been the lead author or co-author of more than 180 articles in peer-reviewed journals and many book chapters. He is the co-author of the Handbook of Dermoscopy (Taylor & Francis 2006) and co-editor of an Atlas of Dermoscopy (Taylor & Francis 2005).