Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCancer RiskCharacteristicsTreatmentIf Not MonitoredCauses and Risk FactorsDiagnosisRecurrence
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Cancer Risk
Characteristics
Treatment
If Not Monitored
Causes and Risk Factors
Diagnosis
Recurrence
Adysplastic nevusis an atypical mole. It may have some abnormal features in terms of size, color, shape, and texture but is not considered cancerous.Nevus (plural: nevi) is the clinical term for a skin mole.
This article will discuss what a dysplastic nevus is, what it looks like, how it’s diagnosed, the risk that it will develop into melanoma, and how to treat it.
Taras Grebinets / Getty Images
Dysplastic Nevus on Pathology: Is It Cancer?
A dysplastic nevus has distinct features, which are visible when a pathologist examines its cells under a microscope. The cells don’t look completely normal. They may display some features that look like early-stage melanoma. However, these cells don’t have the features that make them cancerous.
It’s rare for a dysplastic nevus to become cancerous.But it can pose a higher risk of developing into melanoma compared to anordinary mole. Monitoring these moles for progression to melanomas is crucial. Most melanomas don’t develop from a dysplastic nevus.
Characteristics of Dysplastic Nevus
Dysplastic nevi typically have several characteristics that make themappear different from a regular mole.
Treatment for Dysplastic Nevus
If a dysplastic nevus shows concerning changes or looks like it has changed into melanoma, the dermatologist may decide to biopsy it (remove it to analyze in the laboratory).Removing the nevusin a biopsy is both diagnostic (to see if it’s cancerous or not) as well as a treatment if it is.
When the biopsy is complete, the dermatologist may recommend further treatment or more frequent monitoring if it shows any abnormality or high-risk feature. If it’s cancerous, further surgery or other treatments may prove necessary.
Risks of Unmonitored Dysplastic Nevus
An untreated or unmonitored dysplastic nevus can come with risks, even if the mole isn’t cancerous. Some of these risks include:
Why Do Some People Develop Dysplastic Nevus?
Various factors can cause the development of dysplastic nevi. Some of these contributing factors can include:
Those who have dysplastic nevi face a slightly increased risk of developing melanoma compared to someone who doesn’t have an atypical mole.However, not everyone with dysplastic nevi will develop melanoma.
Where to Get an Atypical Mole Examined
The first place to start is to examine an atypical mole yourself. Perform regular skin checks to look for any changes so you know what is normal for you. A regular skin check for any changes in moles or new lesions can help detect skin cancer early.
If you notice anything concerning, you can seek a further evaluation with your healthcare provider, who may be your:
Diagnosing a Dysplastic NevusA healthcare provider will examine the mole and surrounding skin to evaluate its size, shape, color, and any irregularities. They may perform adermoscopyusing a handheld device to get a magnified look at the mole. If suspicious, they may perform a biopsy to remove the mole to send to the lab for a cancer evaluation
Diagnosing a Dysplastic Nevus
A healthcare provider will examine the mole and surrounding skin to evaluate its size, shape, color, and any irregularities. They may perform adermoscopyusing a handheld device to get a magnified look at the mole. If suspicious, they may perform a biopsy to remove the mole to send to the lab for a cancer evaluation
Can Dysplastic Nevus Grow Back After Removal?
After removal, a dysplastic nevus typically doesn’t grow back unless its removal is incomplete.However, new moles can develop in different areas of the skin. Continuing routine skin examinations to evaluate any new mole growth or changes is crucial.
Summary
A dysplastic nevus is a mole that isn’t cancerous but does carry an increased risk of becoming cancerous. Its shape, size, color, or texture characteristics can differ from those of the common mole. Performing regular skin self-examinations to look for the presence of anything abnormal is important. If you have concerns, contact a healthcare provider.
Although a dysplastic nevus might not require removal, your healthcare professional should follow it closely for any changes.
3 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Sung WW, Chang CH.Nevi, dysplastic nevi, and melanoma: molecular and immune mechanisms involving the progression.Tzu Chi Med J. 2021;34(1):1-7. doi:10.4103/tcmj.tcmj_158_20National Cancer Institute.Common moles, dysplastic nevi, and risk of melanoma.Maghari A.Recurrence of dysplastic nevi is strongly associated with extension of the lesions to the lateral margins and into the deep margins through the hair follicles in the original shave removal specimens.Dermatology Research and Practice. 2016;2016:1-5. doi:10.1155/2016/8523947
3 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Sung WW, Chang CH.Nevi, dysplastic nevi, and melanoma: molecular and immune mechanisms involving the progression.Tzu Chi Med J. 2021;34(1):1-7. doi:10.4103/tcmj.tcmj_158_20National Cancer Institute.Common moles, dysplastic nevi, and risk of melanoma.Maghari A.Recurrence of dysplastic nevi is strongly associated with extension of the lesions to the lateral margins and into the deep margins through the hair follicles in the original shave removal specimens.Dermatology Research and Practice. 2016;2016:1-5. doi:10.1155/2016/8523947
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Sung WW, Chang CH.Nevi, dysplastic nevi, and melanoma: molecular and immune mechanisms involving the progression.Tzu Chi Med J. 2021;34(1):1-7. doi:10.4103/tcmj.tcmj_158_20National Cancer Institute.Common moles, dysplastic nevi, and risk of melanoma.Maghari A.Recurrence of dysplastic nevi is strongly associated with extension of the lesions to the lateral margins and into the deep margins through the hair follicles in the original shave removal specimens.Dermatology Research and Practice. 2016;2016:1-5. doi:10.1155/2016/8523947
Sung WW, Chang CH.Nevi, dysplastic nevi, and melanoma: molecular and immune mechanisms involving the progression.Tzu Chi Med J. 2021;34(1):1-7. doi:10.4103/tcmj.tcmj_158_20
National Cancer Institute.Common moles, dysplastic nevi, and risk of melanoma.
Maghari A.Recurrence of dysplastic nevi is strongly associated with extension of the lesions to the lateral margins and into the deep margins through the hair follicles in the original shave removal specimens.Dermatology Research and Practice. 2016;2016:1-5. doi:10.1155/2016/8523947
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
