In April 2020 we invited our members to ask Professor Veronica Kinsler questions relating to Congenital Melanocytic Naevus and the CMN research projects. Professor Veronica Kinsler will be answering your questions over the coming weeks. We will be uploading each video session to this webpage. We are very grateful to Professor Veronica Kinsler for taking the time to answer all the questions submitted.

Caring Matters Now

Q&A Session Four

  • Do new treatments for melanoma in general, including vaccines for melanoma, help with the treatment of melanoma in CMN?
  • Is there a connection between a parent having an autoimmune condition and their child having CMN?
  • Can the pigment in the hairs on top of the CMN disappear?
  • Can I dye the hairs on top of my CMN?
  • Does surgery reduce or increase the risk of melanoma in CMN?
  • Does having CMN on your legs reduce the strength in your legs?
  • Does CMN reduce speech development?
  • If a baby is born with one CMN and then develops a small mole in the first year of life, does that count as a satellite (a second CMN) or just a normal mole?
  • Is there any research about using drugs for people who have neurological problems with CMN, but they don’t have melanoma?
  • What is the best way to approach the school my child with CMN is about to start?
  • Does having CMN relate in any way to having poor ovulation?
  • Can CMN be diagnosed during pregnancy?
  • Do people who have CMN need to be generally screened for cancers?

Q&A Session Three

  • What is the percentage of people who have brain abnormalities with CMN developing melanoma?
  • Does the chance of developing melanoma differ depending on the size of the CMN on the skin?
  • How long will new small CMN satellites keep appearing?
  • Can we stop new small CMN satellites appearing?
  • Does IVF increase the risk of CMN developing?
  • Does having a suntan (as opposed to sunburn) increase the risk of melanoma in CMN?
  • Can you comment on treatments / surgery as seen recently in the media?
  • How should I protect my child from the sun?

Q&A Session Two

  • Does laser therapy work for CMN and hair removal?
  • Should nodules always be removed?
  • Are you more likely to get melanoma depending on the gene that has caused the CMN?
  • Are you more likely to get neurological problems depending on the gene that has caused the CMN?
  • Do I need routine gene testing for CMN?

Q&A Session One

  • What is the cause of CMN?
  • Is all the CMN research focused on the NRAS gene?
  • What CMN research is currently taking place?
  • What are the chances of finding a treatment for CMN?