ABSTRACT
Benign melanocytic neoplasms constitute an increasingly important and diverse group of cutaneous lesions. Their importance is derived from their relationship to malignant melanoma as simulants, risk markers and precursors to melanoma. As such they pose a significant diagnostic challenge to both clinicians and pathologists because of their profound heterogeneity and capacity to mimic melanoma. There is also evidence that along with cutaneous melanoma melanocytic nevi are increasing in frequency worldwide.
