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A dysplastic nevus is a mole that exhibits distinct characteristics compared to the typical mole. It may display irregular borders, a variety of colors, and appear larger than other moles.
Although atypical moles are benign and not cancerous, having a considerable number of them elevates the risk of melanoma, a potentially life-threatening skin cancer. Moreover, over time, atypical moles can evolve and potentially develop into cancerous lesions.
To gain a clearer comprehension of this condition, let’s dissect the meaning of each term:
- Dysplastic or Dysplasia: This term denotes the existence of atypical (abnormal) cells in tissue. Dysplastic tissue, while not cancerous in itself, possesses the potential to evolve into cancer.
- Nevus: In medical terminology, this refers to a mole, a prevalent type of skin growth. The plural form is “nevi,” denoting multiple moles. The term “dysplastic nevi” may be used by your healthcare provider if you exhibit multiple atypical moles.
It is prevalent to have atypical moles, with experts estimating that approximately 1 in 10 Americans possesses at least one such mole.
The presence of atypical moles heightens the risk of melanoma, and the greater the number of atypical moles, the higher the risk of cancer. Individuals with 10 or more atypical moles are 12 times more likely to develop melanoma. However, it’s essential to note that the majority of people with atypical moles do not go on to develop melanoma. Experts estimate that one in four cases of melanoma originates from a dysplastic nevus or atypical mole.
Your doctor may use terms like “atypical mole,” “congenital nevus,” “Spitz nevus,” or “Clark’s nevi” to describe a dysplastic nevus.
Symptoms
A dysplastic nevus might display some or all of the following characteristics:
- A flat with a pebbly or slightly elevated surface.
- A shape that deviates from regularity, typically not circular, displaying edges that are blurred or uneven.
- Exceeding the size of a pencil eraser.
- Exhibiting a spectrum of colors, encompassing shades such as pink, red, tan, brown, and black.
Atypical moles can manifest on any part of your body, with a higher frequency on your trunk. However, they may also appear on your head, scalp, neck, arms, or legs.
Causes
The precise reasons why certain individuals develop dysplastic nevi remain unclear. However, a blend of genetic factors (family history) and environmental factors such as exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light might contribute to this occurrence.
Risk factors
Atypical moles can impact individuals across various ages, genders, and skin tones.
While having dark skin does not provide protection from atypical moles or skin cancer, it does contribute to a reduced risk.
Individuals with the following risk factors are more prone to developing atypical moles:
- Past instances of excessive sun exposure, sunburns, or an inability to tan.
- Sensitivity to UV light (photosensitivity).
- Family history of atypical moles, skin cancer, or melanoma.
- Fair skin, freckles, light eyes, and hair
Diagnosis
Seeking the expertise of a skin cancer specialist becomes crucial when dealing with atypical moles. A dermatologist specializes in diagnosing and treating skin diseases, including skin cancer.
Your doctor may conduct:
- Skin examinations once or twice a year to monitor changes in moles (or every three to six months if there’s a family history of melanoma).
- Dermoscopy employing a magnifying device called a dermatoscope to detect abnormalities in moles that are not visible to the naked eye.
- Mole mapping involves utilizing a specialized camera equipped with a dermatoscopic lens to create a digital map of your skin and moles.
Changes in moles
It is advisable to conduct regular self-examinations of your skin to monitor any changes in moles or the skin. Doctors suggest checking your skin at least once a month, particularly if you have atypical moles or other risk factors for skin cancer. Additionally, capturing photographs can be a helpful tool in detecting changes from month to month.
When inspecting moles for indications of skin cancer, it’s crucial to remember the ABCDE rule:
A – Asymmetrical or irregular shape.
B – Borders that are blurry, ragged, or notched.
C – Colors that encompass a range of shades like browns, blacks, reds, or blues.
D – Diameter larger than a pencil eraser (1/4 of an inch).
E – Evolving changes over time, such as moles that
increase in size, alter in shape or color, bleed, or itch.
If you observe anything unusual, even if you believe it’s insignificant, it’s crucial to contact a doctor.
Treatment
Unless a skin biopsy reveals cancer or pre-cancerous alterations, further treatment is generally unnecessary for an atypical mole. Your doctor might use terms like atypical melanocytic hyperplasia or moderately to severely dysplastic to characterize biopsy results, indicating a heightened cancer risk. In such cases, additional surgery is often employed by your doctor to address the mole.
The treatment for atypical moles typically involves surgically removing the mole along with a small border of surrounding skin. If the biopsy identifies cancer (melanoma) associated with the atypical mole, your doctor may opt for a more extensive surgical removal or Mohs surgery, which aims to preserve surrounding healthy tissue.
