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A letter to the editor is presented in response to the January 30, 2003 article "Peritoneal Dialysis and Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition of Mesothelial Cells," by E. Lara-Pezzi and colleagues.

To the Editor: Shain et al. (Nov. 12 issue)(1) report the results of genetic analysis of 37 primary melanomas and their adjacent nonmalignant melanocytic neoplasms. The authors found conservation of genetic alterations among these neoplasms that was consistent with a stepwise model of melanocytic transformation into melanoma. Although this is a landmark study in the field of melanoma pathogenesis, we would like to emphasize the limited evidence supporting the prophylactic removal of benign melanocytic neoplasms (i.e., melanocytic nevi) to prevent melanoma. Patients with increased numbers of nevi are at increased risk for melanoma. The potential for nevi to serve as . . . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]