Does anyone else have Atypical Mole Syndrome?

This topic has 5 replies, 4 voices, and was last updated 6 years, 9 months ago by SOLE.

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- September 5, 2017 at 1:59 am
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Kaitlin
Participant
First off, I'd like to ask if it's okay for me to ask a few questions here. I've not been diagnosed with melanoma yet, but all the dermatologists seem to think it's just a matter of time. My first dermatologist visit was for acne when I was about 13, and that was also the first time I had pictures taken of some of my moles and received the sun safety lecture. I'm very fair and have had dozens of 2nd degree sunburns; we actually thought I had a sun allergy for awhile

My last dermatologist visit was during the summer where my mom had two Basal cells cut off and I had another skin check. She was instructed to go to a derm once every year, but I was still told to come in every 6 months, which seems kind of ridiculous considering I've never even had any skin cancer and I'm only 21.

My main question is about whether anyone else has a high number of atypical moles and if your melanoma resembled them. I know people always say to look for the ugly duckling, but for me, most of my moles are ugly in various different ways. I missed my last derm visit so I'm scheduled for one next summer, I was just curious about everyone's premelanoma stories.

Also, a side question to those of you with multiple moles: how do you monitor all of them? I know change is a big one, but I can't monitor all my moles and I cant even see the ones on my back. I also imagine that with pictures all my moles would get mixed up, since I probably have over 40 just on my legs.

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- - September 5, 2017 at 8:47 pm
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  Bobman
  Participant
  This is the place to ask questions . I have the atypical mole syndrome , also known as DNS (dysplastic nevI syndrome ) ,and like you had uncountable sunburns by the time I was your age. It is challenging monitoring so many lesions , any one of which would be worthy of biopsy in a normal persons visit to a dermatologist . Pictures are good for detecting change , but they must be close up,clear,and in a grid like format to accurately access before , and after changes . Some dermatologist groups do mole mapping , and given you are so young , and this is the beginning of a life long process for you, it may be worth looking for someone that does that . One year intervals between appointments for you is too long. Stay regular with with your 6 months appointment schedule , or even more often to stay on top of changes. Lesions can change very quickly , and if they do, go in for a biopsy . Biopsies are easy.
  
  I have well over 500 atypical lesions but have got to be pretty good at spotting the ugly duck among the flock of ugly ducklings . For me it is what has changed , or what is new that has been the problem . Whenever something new pop's up, or changes , it gets a biopsy . I'm up to eleven melanomas , four with some depth , and seven InSitu . Twenty one wide excisions to deal with that,plus all the severely atypical lesions . I don't say any of this to scare you,but you need to be vigilant with your appointments and keep a close eye on your body . You will develop a keen eye the more you look ,and having a good dermatologist looking with you is essential .
  
  Best wishes , and Aloha
  
  Bob
  - September 6, 2017 at 6:03 am
    
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    Raluca
    Participant
    
    Hello,
    
    I have the atypical mole syndrome to. Over the years I had more biopsies but only one turned up to be melanoma and I discovered early. My mole modified a little and I got it out. I do mole mapping at dermatologist every 3 months.
  - September 8, 2017 at 5:26 pm
    
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    SOLE
    Participant
    
    Same here. I also have a few hundred moles which is very stressful and they all look atypical in many different ways.
  - September 9, 2017 at 12:08 am
    
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    Kaitlin
    Participant
    
    Thank you for your advice! I'll be home this summer and my mom mentioned that there's a really good dermatoogist near by (Las Vegas) that she wants me to go to. Hoping to get at least a few more appointments in while I'm still on their insurance I've been reading more about mole mapping and I'm really considering it, even just to give me peace of mind. It's so odd not even knowing if a mole is new. I have a new big one on my pelvis and I keep doing double takes because I'm pretty postive it's new, but you can never really be sure. Maybe I just missed it before. You would think you would notice it growing though! It's as if they just pop up overnight, so crazy.
    
    I appreciate your response, I'm glad I'm not the only one with so many atypical moles. Hopefully in a few more years I'll be more used to my moles and be able to spot worrying things easier. I also know that it's normal for new moles to crop up until mid 20s so I suppose thats reassuring.
  - September 10, 2017 at 2:38 am
    
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    SOLE
    Participant
    
    Just wanted to add that I have had appear on my skin since childhood and more since the last few years before my diagnosis… Had I known, I would have seen a derm before all this happened.