Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41236268›Full record

ReviewDermatology practical & conceptual2025

Rethinking Melanocytic Tumors: A Critical Appraisal of the WHO Classification and the Myth of Nevus-to-Melanoma Progression.

Giuseppe Argenziano, Giulia Briatico, Eugenia Veronica Di Brizzi, Camila Scharf, Gabriella Brancaccio, Elvira Moscarella, Maria Maddalena Nicoletti, Pasquale Verolino, Aimilios Lallas, Harald Kittler

Abstract readReview
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Review in Dermatology practical & conceptual, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Dermoscopy and the Early Melanoma Concept.International journal of dermatology · 2026
    Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

Giuseppe ArgenzianoDermatology Unit, University of Campania, Naples, Italy.
Giulia BriaticoDermatology Unit, University of Campania, Naples, Italy.
Eugenia Veronica Di BrizziDermatology Unit, University of Campania, Naples, Italy.
Camila ScharfDermatology Unit, University of Campania, Naples, Italy.
Gabriella BrancaccioDermatology Unit, University of Campania, Naples, Italy.
Elvira MoscarellaDermatology Unit, University of Campania, Naples, Italy.
Maria Maddalena NicolettiDermatology Unit, University of Campania, Naples, Italy.
Pasquale VerolinoDermatology Unit, University of Campania, Naples, Italy.
Aimilios LallasFirst Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University, Thessaloniki, Greece.
Harald KittlerDepartment of Dermatology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionThe recent WHO classification of melanocytic tumors introduces a refined molecular and histopathological framework suggesting distinct pathways and precursor lesions for all melanoma subtypes. While conceptually appealing, its clinical applicability is increasingly questioned.

objectivesThis review critically examines the transformation theory from benign nevi to melanoma, highlighting inconsistencies between the proposed models and real-life practice.

methodsThrough illustrative cases and key epidemiological evidence, we evaluated the validity of current models proposing intermediate lesions in melanoma development.

resultsWe argue that most melanomas arise de novo and that the so-called intermediate lesions, such as dysplastic nevi and atypical Spitz tumors, may mimic melanoma but are not true biological precursors.

conclusionsWe propose a simplified, clinically oriented reclassification of melanocytic lesions based on morphologic ambiguity and actual behavior, aiming to guide therapeutic decisions and reduce diagnostic overinterpretation.

Identifiers

PMID41236268
PMCPMC12615052

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.