Linear Epidermal Nevus

I have been dealing with a strong case of Linear epidermal Nevus all my life. A couple years ago i had  some painful  criogenic treatment which returned little or no results. The best treatment i have found is a topical cream called "Tazorac". I am told that even with laser treatment this condition most likely will return. Why is this? If the condition is removed how is it possible for it to return?


This discussion is related to Linear Epidermal Nevus.

[BetsyV2008]

I have a small case LEN on my inside left thigh but it is not the syndrome. iv had it since i can remember, but it only started off as one small growth, which i had removed. Before it was removed more began to grow in its characteristic linear manner. When i seeked advice from a dermatologist he informed me of the various forms of treatment, but made sure i understood that the profileration of the cells cannot be reversed because they are genetically mutated to do so. The effect of one mutation in one cell has a knock-on effect to the other neighbouring cells. To stop the current growth the whole of the dermis would hav to be remove since the mutation affects the dermis (the deepest part of the skin) as well as the epidermis. That will not stop the growth forming before and/or after where the full dermis was removed.... kind've a bummer eh???

[BetsyV2008]

Sorry i meant to say... the reason laser treatment will not prevent the growths from growing back is because the mutation affects the dermis. Laser treatment only removes the upper part of the dermis, the epidermis. That is why the whole of the dermis has to be removed, but it would leave you with a horrendous scar, normally worse looking than the actual LEN itself. Hope i've been helpful