Dysplastic Nevus

Question: dysplastic nevus???? what is it and how serious is it? what causes it? how common is it and what can it devlop into. it was byopsied and the dermatologist said it was precancerous adn moderate. i also am now supposed to wear sunscreen whenever i leave the house so im guessing it is caused by the sun

Answer: A dysplastic nevus is a mole that has changed in appearance. One really has to biospsy (take a sample) and examine it under a microscope to call it dsyplastic. There can be different degrees of dyplasia. It can be caused by age, sun, contact, or chemicals. It may become cancerous although most do not. It would need to be examined periodically by a dermatologist where they would measure it and take periodic pictures. If small it may simply be removed.

Question: Is dysplastic nevus with moderate atypia skin cancer? My friend went to the dermatologist and they removed a mole which they diagnosed as dysplastic compound nevus with moderate atypia. This is the full examination result: "Sections show a skin biopsy in which tthe epidermis contains melanocytes which show moderate cytological atpyps and dot the basal layer in a lentiginous fashion, extending laterally past the confines of the dermal nevus cell component. Focally, these aggregate to form nests and bridges between elongated rete. The dermis exhibits concentric eosinophilic fibrosis and contains a lymphocytic infiltrate interspersed amongst nevus cells in the superficial dermis. The morphological features are in keeping with those of a compound nevus with architectural disorder and moderate cytological melanocytic atypia. Where the true margin of resection is visible, excision appears complete. Nevertheless, clinical correlation is appropriate; any residual pigmented lesion should be completely, but conservatively excised. " What does this all mean? Is it cancerous (melanoma)? Should she be seeking treatment?

Answer: This report says that your friend had precancerous changes - so her mole was becoming a melanoma, but not a melanoma as yet. Clear margins is good - it means that there were no abnormal cells near the cut edges of the piece of skin removed and so it is likely that everything was removed, but if any of the mole remains, it needs to be cut out. It would also be advisable for your friend to continue to have regular skin checks.

Question: Severely Atypical Dysplastic Nevus? Hey all, A few weeks ago I had a mole removed from my scalp that came back pre-cancerous; a severely atypical dysplastic nevus. Sadly, tomorrow morning I have to have surgery to remove 2 or 3 inches from my scalp to make sure it doesn't come back as a melanoma. My question is this: how bad is the scarring for something like this? The lesion was on the part line of my hair, so I know they are going to have to shave, but I have no idea how bad it is going to be. Has anyone else had this done before?

Answer: A good cosmetic surgeon should be involved in the closure, resulting in minimal scarring.

Question: Dysplastic nevus as compared to melanoma? How can one tell the difference from just looking.

Answer: A dysplastic nevus is growth or mark on the skin, called a mole, that is larger than normal. Also called an atypical mole. It will not change, itch or cause any probems. A melanoma will often change size, colour and itch or bleed;

Question: what are the chances of an atypical mole or dysplastic nevus turning into melanoma?

Answer: . Definition: "Atypical moles" also referred to as Clark’s nevi or dysplastic nevi are moles that are considered to be precancerous or more likely to turn into melanoma than regular moles. When looking at an atypical mole on the skin, one will see some of the features that one sees when looking at melanoma such as: an irregular border, slight variation in color, or asymmetry (if you cut the mole in half, the two halves do not look the same). When a pathologist looks at an atypical mole under the microscope, it has features that are in-between a normal mole and a melanoma. Most experts believe that atypical moles are at higher risk of turning into melanoma as compared to normal moles. Melanoma is a deadly form of skin cancer which kills quickly if not removed in time. II. Causes: The tendency to develop atypical moles is inherited (runs in families). Exposing the skin to sunlight is thought to lead to the development of atypical moles. III. Prevention: If you have a family member who has had a melanoma and you have atypical moles, you should have a complete skin exam each year. People with many atypical moles should have a complete skin exam each year. You should also check your own moles once a month. If one mole seems to be changing more than your other moles or is marching out of step with your other moles it should be removed immediately. Use sunscreen daily on epxposed skin areas. IV. Treatment: Atypical moles should be removed immediately if they are changing color, shape or size over a period of weeks to months. These moles should also be removed immediately if they bleed or itch. These signs all suggest that an atypical mole may have turned into a melanoma. The only safe way to remove an atypical mole is to have it cut out. The specimen is then sent to the pathologist to be analyzed under the microscope. Removing an atypical mole leaves a permanent scar. If an atypical mole looks like it could be an early melanoma, the doctor will recommend removal as soon as possible. Sometimes the only way to be absolutely sure that an atypical mole is not a melanoma is to have it removed and analyzed. Melanoma is a very serious skin cancer. There are about 40,000 new cases diagnosed in the United States every year and about 7,800 deaths. They occur very rarely in people younger than 20 years of age. About half occur in apparently normal skin, the other half arise from "moles". On average, a person has about 20 "moles". If there are about 200,000,000 people in the United States over the age of 20 years and if they have an average of 20 moles each then the odds of any one "mole" turning into cancer is 20,000/200,000,000 x 20 = 20,000/ 4,000,000,000 = 1 melanoma per 200,000 moles per year.

Question: I had a dysplastic nevus removed for biopsy. it recurred. should I worry?

Answer: Don't worry, get medical opinion.

Question: I have just been informed that I have mild dysplastic compound nevus...? But that they got all the tissue and I need to have the area checked in six months. This is the second mole I have had with this issue. Should I expect this to continue? Am I a high risk for cancer? I am not fair skinned and I have avoided tanning for the past seven years. I always wear sunscreen.

Answer: if you are fair skinned and have a lot of moles, yes. Avoid tanning booths like the plague and protect your skin in the sun, minimize exposure as much as you can, always wear a sun screen.

Question: If you have a dysplastic Nevi removed ( mole ) and it returns? What is the best corse of action for a mole that was found to be dysplastic and pigment returns in less than 3 months?

Answer: My husband had them removed and none came back. Maybe the Dr. did not remove all the way down to the root of the mole. I would ask the Dr. that preformed the removal.

Question: Does dysplastic nevi or an atypical mole usually turn into melanoma? I have one on my back and am REALY scared. REALLY* Typo

Answer: Any mole can turn in to melanoma. Have it looked after to ease your mind - or have an MD place a watch on it and if it changes shape/color and dimension they will remove it.

Question: Dysplastic Nevi....HELP? Please read this. I have two moles that "appeared" I guess sometime within the last year or two ( I know I should of payed closer attention but within the last few years I have given birth to my daughter and also had a very close family member of mine get sick and pass away. Well I'm TERRIFIED of these moles because there is two about 6 inches apart on my arm and both appeared, are irregular borders, and have different colors in them. light brown and very dark brown. They are about the size of HALF a pencil eraser and as I have been watching them closely this past 5 or 6 months that I really noticed them they have not grown one bit. I finally went to my dermatologist ( had a prior problem w/ insurance ) and she said she is almost 100% positive they are dsyplastic nevi but she will remove them to be sure and to make sure they don't ever turn into melanoma. The surgery is not for two months and I suffer from severe anxiety so I am sick to my stomach every day. I mean how can moles just appear and be dysplastic nevi....now not anymore but b4 I got pregnant w/ my daughter I was young and stupid and I had a LOT LOT LOT of sun exposure in tanning beds/beach and what not. Please has anybody had a dysplatic mole just appear and it be fine after biopsy? What happened? PLEASE share

Answer: First of all stop worrying... Yes, you should be concerned, but not mortified. A dysplastic nevus how ever bad it sounds is still a benign lesion. Obviously the dermatologist doesn't think it is that bad if she schedule you 2 month away. Believe me if she thought it was a severe dysplastic nevus or melanoma she/he would schedule you sooner. Yes, granted it is a dysplastic nevus which basically means a gray zone. Meaning it is not bad, but they can't say that is is good either. Even with a diagnoses of dysplastic their are 3 categories with in that umbrella. Mild, Moderate and Sever. (but still all benign.) most of them fall under the mild and moderate which normally are kept an eye on. Sun does contribute to the changes but that is only a small factor to a dysplastic nevus. Genetics plays a bigger role. After the biopsy they will have a definite answer where it fits. In our office a biopsy only takes a few min. and we normally do it the day you come in. But still never the less, dysplastic is a Benign spot. Don not Worry.