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Atypical Nevi
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Atypical Nevi

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Atypical Nevi

  • Post
    • July 7, 2015 at 11:32 pm
    Boo79
    Participant

      I have searched high and low for answers to my questions, but kind of get run around answers. Everyone here seems very educated on the topic, so I thought I would give it a shot here. 

      I have never watched my moles….didn't ever think about melanoma. Then the doctor removed two that looked odd. The first pathologist could not come up with a clear determination on classification, so it was sent to a second pathologist. This pathologist sent report saying one was severely atypical and the other was moderately to severely atypical. Neither had clear margins so I am having both excised to get clear margins. When I went to dermatologist for first time, she saw another suspicious one, and it came back moderate but had clear margins. 

      My question is…I didn't realize these were odd, so never watched for change. I have several others which are odd looking now that I have done a body check. Since I have no idea which have changed, and which have always looked weird, and all three have come back atypical, should I be concerned that there could be one that is melanoma? I'm not sure what to do now. I don't want to wait around and have the bad one missed, and I cent find answers on what I should do. 

       

      Thanks!!

    Viewing 5 reply threads
    • Replies
        • July 8, 2015 at 1:25 am
        Colleen66
        Participant

          In my case, the melanoma was found first because it was amelanotic nodular melanoma.  my severely atypical's were found after, when I started visits with the dermatologist.  We biopsied around 4 spots I think.  Three were atypical.  I had had these before my diagnsis.  I  also have on average, 2-3 new ones per year.  My dermatologist is aggressive and leaves nothing to chance.  About 85% of mine have been atypical.  I think once one is found, there is reason to believe there is and/or may be more of them.

          Colleen

          • July 8, 2015 at 1:25 am
          Colleen66
          Participant

            In my case, the melanoma was found first because it was amelanotic nodular melanoma.  my severely atypical's were found after, when I started visits with the dermatologist.  We biopsied around 4 spots I think.  Three were atypical.  I had had these before my diagnsis.  I  also have on average, 2-3 new ones per year.  My dermatologist is aggressive and leaves nothing to chance.  About 85% of mine have been atypical.  I think once one is found, there is reason to believe there is and/or may be more of them.

            Colleen

            • July 8, 2015 at 1:25 am
            Colleen66
            Participant

              In my case, the melanoma was found first because it was amelanotic nodular melanoma.  my severely atypical's were found after, when I started visits with the dermatologist.  We biopsied around 4 spots I think.  Three were atypical.  I had had these before my diagnsis.  I  also have on average, 2-3 new ones per year.  My dermatologist is aggressive and leaves nothing to chance.  About 85% of mine have been atypical.  I think once one is found, there is reason to believe there is and/or may be more of them.

              Colleen

              • July 8, 2015 at 1:40 am
              Janner
              Participant

                Start watching NOW.  Take pictures NOW.  If something were melanoma, it would continue to change.  But if something really isn't an ugly duckling now, I'd be fine watching things from now on.  Remove anything that changes.  The vast majority of atypical nevi will never turn into melanoma.  You are aware now and that is what counts.

                  • July 8, 2015 at 3:26 am
                  Boo79
                  Participant

                    Thank you so much!

                    • July 8, 2015 at 3:26 am
                    Boo79
                    Participant

                      Thank you so much!

                      • July 8, 2015 at 3:26 am
                      Boo79
                      Participant

                        Thank you so much!

                      • July 8, 2015 at 1:40 am
                      Janner
                      Participant

                        Start watching NOW.  Take pictures NOW.  If something were melanoma, it would continue to change.  But if something really isn't an ugly duckling now, I'd be fine watching things from now on.  Remove anything that changes.  The vast majority of atypical nevi will never turn into melanoma.  You are aware now and that is what counts.

                        • July 8, 2015 at 1:40 am
                        Janner
                        Participant

                          Start watching NOW.  Take pictures NOW.  If something were melanoma, it would continue to change.  But if something really isn't an ugly duckling now, I'd be fine watching things from now on.  Remove anything that changes.  The vast majority of atypical nevi will never turn into melanoma.  You are aware now and that is what counts.

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