dysplastic nevi

One more thing, mildly dysplastic nevi are basically considered benign with no real chance to change into anything more.  Severely atypical nevi are the ones with the highest risk.  Having 4 mildly atypical nevi is really nothing special and really doesn't raise your risk much.  If you said you have 4 severely dysplastic nevi, it would be of much higher concern.

Best wishes,

Janner

Hello Janner.

THank you for responding to my question.

I am still very concerned.

I am receiving contridicting feedback about the dysplastic nevi.

I have gone to two dermatologist.  One seems slightly concerned and says she has worked with people with over 100.

I have another dermatologist that tells me this is very concerning and not good.   He also said melanoma can start internally and there is no way to know.  This terrified me.  I asked him if there was any testing for this and he said usually it is too late when people learn about this.   So, I think I will go to another doctor.

I feel like I am currently getting some new moles, maybe two small ones, I feel like the dysplastic ones were new.  Can my skin be dynamic right now and calm down shortly?

Do you know anyone with five dysplastic that did not develop melanoma?  I have read on the board many people started with dysplastic prior to melanoma.

Should I worry about FAMM?

Thank you for your time.

I read you bio and you are a truly amazing, strong, inspiring person.

Hello Janner.

THank you for responding to my question.

I am still very concerned.

I am receiving contridicting feedback about the dysplastic nevi.

I have gone to two dermatologist.  One seems slightly concerned and says she has worked with people with over 100.

I have another dermatologist that tells me this is very concerning and not good.   He also said melanoma can start internally and there is no way to know.  This terrified me.  I asked him if there was any testing for this and he said usually it is too late when people learn about this.   So, I think I will go to another doctor.

I feel like I am currently getting some new moles, maybe two small ones, I feel like the dysplastic ones were new.  Can my skin be dynamic right now and calm down shortly?

Do you know anyone with five dysplastic that did not develop melanoma?  I have read on the board many people started with dysplastic prior to melanoma.

Should I worry about FAMM?

Thank you for your time.

I read you bio and you are a truly amazing, strong, inspiring person.

Hello Janner.

THank you for responding to my question.

I am still very concerned.

I am receiving contridicting feedback about the dysplastic nevi.

I have gone to two dermatologist.  One seems slightly concerned and says she has worked with people with over 100.

I have another dermatologist that tells me this is very concerning and not good.   He also said melanoma can start internally and there is no way to know.  This terrified me.  I asked him if there was any testing for this and he said usually it is too late when people learn about this.   So, I think I will go to another doctor.

I feel like I am currently getting some new moles, maybe two small ones, I feel like the dysplastic ones were new.  Can my skin be dynamic right now and calm down shortly?

Do you know anyone with five dysplastic that did not develop melanoma?  I have read on the board many people started with dysplastic prior to melanoma.

Should I worry about FAMM?

Thank you for your time.

I read you bio and you are a truly amazing, strong, inspiring person.

Also, is there a blood test that can be taken to determine if one has cancer?

There is currently no blood test to tell if one has melanoma.  Blood tests are run to take a baseline and they can often tell if there is something malfunctioning in the human body.  The blood test does not say if the malfunction is due to melanoma, but is a pointer on where to look to see what a problem may be.

There is currently no blood test to tell if one has melanoma.  Blood tests are run to take a baseline and they can often tell if there is something malfunctioning in the human body.  The blood test does not say if the malfunction is due to melanoma, but is a pointer on where to look to see what a problem may be.

There is currently no blood test to tell if one has melanoma.  Blood tests are run to take a baseline and they can often tell if there is something malfunctioning in the human body.  The blood test does not say if the malfunction is due to melanoma, but is a pointer on where to look to see what a problem may be.

Also, is there a blood test that can be taken to determine if one has cancer?

Also, is there a blood test that can be taken to determine if one has cancer?

Sorry, didn't see this.

I think you're getting the "worst case scenario" info.  As I said before, mildly atypical isn't even considered a big deal at all.  You've had one moderately atypical nevus.  That also isn't melanoma.  Not even close.  My local institution does Mole Mapping.  This is where they photograph each atypical mole at each visit.  Software and the doctors do a comparison.  They only do this on people who have DNS (100+ atypical moles) or people with multiple primaries.  After about 5000 moles mapped, 98.x% were stable and NEVER changed into melanoma.  The changing ones were biopsied and even then, not all were melanoma.

Yes, you can get new moles.  You can get new dysplastic nevus.  What you need to realize is most will never become melanoma even if they are dysplastic.  I know I have at least 15 moles on my body that are dysplastic to some degree.  I've never actually had a benign biopsy.  But as long as the moles aren't changing, I'm not worried about them.  The key to new moles is "do they look different from all my other moles" and "are they changing asymmetrically"?  I could care less if I have a dysplastic nevus as long as it is not changing and doesn't look different from all my other moles "ugly duckling".

I think FAMMM is really not something you should worry about nor internal melanoma.  You don't qualify for FAMMM and the second is so rare that it's not even worth considering.   In general, as we age, we do tend to stop creating moles.  Like with everything, though, it isn't an absolute.  If you are getting new moles, watch that they aren't changing asymmetrically.  Watch that they aren't really different from EVERYTHING else.  If they just look like all your other moles, then they're probably fine.  As I said before, if you were getting biopsies of severely atypical lesions, then the concern level would be much higher.  I, personally, don't even give a second thought to anything mildly atypical.  It's just not in the same realm as the rest.

This seems to be worrying you more than it probably needs to.  I would suggest photographing your moles in lighting you can duplicate.  Then check your moles monthly against the photographs (in the same lighting).  If you find anything that is changing asymmetrically, that is the one to show to your dermatologist.  I wish you luck on finding one that makes you feel comfortable.  I, personally, would avoid Dr. Doom and Gloom and lean toward the mildly concerned one.  The second doctor seems to reflect reality more than the first.

Best wishes,

Janner

Hello! I found this topic when searching for my 'diagnosis' from a pathology done on a mole located on my neck.

The pathology came back as severely displastic. I will be honest, when the dermatologist took the tissue sample, she took it all off and there is nothing there now. They 'referred' me to another dermatologist office to have this removed as they are telling me IT WILL turn into a melanoma and MUST be dealt with. However, from all of the research I am finding online, this is not necessarily the case? I only have one of these. The dermatology office keeps calling me and bothering me saying they MUST close out this case and either consent for treatment or deny treatment….?

I feel at a loss because of what I'm reading to educate myself vs what they are saying, vs being able to AFFORD a 2nd opinion is a problem for me. I do not have insurance and paid for a full body scan out of pocket for something else I thought may be a problem + path/lab.

I would love any feedback that can be given and would be happy to provide more information if it is necessary for any feedback. I'm age 42 y/o female, caucasian, medium to fair skin living in the South US region. 

Thank you in advance!

Hello! I found this topic when searching for my 'diagnosis' from a pathology done on a mole located on my neck.

The pathology came back as severely displastic. I will be honest, when the dermatologist took the tissue sample, she took it all off and there is nothing there now. They 'referred' me to another dermatologist office to have this removed as they are telling me IT WILL turn into a melanoma and MUST be dealt with. However, from all of the research I am finding online, this is not necessarily the case? I only have one of these. The dermatology office keeps calling me and bothering me saying they MUST close out this case and either consent for treatment or deny treatment….?

I feel at a loss because of what I'm reading to educate myself vs what they are saying, vs being able to AFFORD a 2nd opinion is a problem for me. I do not have insurance and paid for a full body scan out of pocket for something else I thought may be a problem + path/lab.

I would love any feedback that can be given and would be happy to provide more information if it is necessary for any feedback. I'm age 42 y/o female, caucasian, medium to fair skin living in the South US region. 

Thank you in advance!

Hello! I found this topic when searching for my 'diagnosis' from a pathology done on a mole located on my neck.

The pathology came back as severely displastic. I will be honest, when the dermatologist took the tissue sample, she took it all off and there is nothing there now. They 'referred' me to another dermatologist office to have this removed as they are telling me IT WILL turn into a melanoma and MUST be dealt with. However, from all of the research I am finding online, this is not necessarily the case? I only have one of these. The dermatology office keeps calling me and bothering me saying they MUST close out this case and either consent for treatment or deny treatment….?

I feel at a loss because of what I'm reading to educate myself vs what they are saying, vs being able to AFFORD a 2nd opinion is a problem for me. I do not have insurance and paid for a full body scan out of pocket for something else I thought may be a problem + path/lab.

I would love any feedback that can be given and would be happy to provide more information if it is necessary for any feedback. I'm age 42 y/o female, caucasian, medium to fair skin living in the South US region. 

Thank you in advance!

Hello! I found this topic when searching for my 'diagnosis' from a pathology done on a mole located on my neck.

The pathology came back as severely displastic. I will be honest, when the dermatologist took the tissue sample, she took it all off and there is nothing there now. They 'referred' me to another dermatologist office to have this removed as they are telling me IT WILL turn into a melanoma and MUST be dealt with. However, from all of the research I am finding online, this is not necessarily the case? I only have one of these. The dermatology office keeps calling me and bothering me saying they MUST close out this case and either consent for treatment or deny treatment….?

I feel at a loss because of what I'm reading to educate myself vs what they are saying, vs being able to AFFORD a 2nd opinion is a problem for me. I do not have insurance and paid for a full body scan out of pocket for something else I thought may be a problem + path/lab.

I would love any feedback that can be given and would be happy to provide more information if it is necessary for any feedback. I'm age 42 y/o female, caucasian, medium to fair skin living in the South US region. 

Thank you in advance!

Hello! I found this topic when searching for my 'diagnosis' from a pathology done on a mole located on my neck.

The pathology came back as severely displastic. I will be honest, when the dermatologist took the tissue sample, she took it all off and there is nothing there now. They 'referred' me to another dermatologist office to have this removed as they are telling me IT WILL turn into a melanoma and MUST be dealt with. However, from all of the research I am finding online, this is not necessarily the case? I only have one of these. The dermatology office keeps calling me and bothering me saying they MUST close out this case and either consent for treatment or deny treatment….?

I feel at a loss because of what I'm reading to educate myself vs what they are saying, vs being able to AFFORD a 2nd opinion is a problem for me. I do not have insurance and paid for a full body scan out of pocket for something else I thought may be a problem + path/lab.

I would love any feedback that can be given and would be happy to provide more information if it is necessary for any feedback. I'm age 42 y/o female, caucasian, medium to fair skin living in the South US region. 

Thank you in advance!

Hello! I found this topic when searching for my 'diagnosis' from a pathology done on a mole located on my neck.

The pathology came back as severely displastic. I will be honest, when the dermatologist took the tissue sample, she took it all off and there is nothing there now. They 'referred' me to another dermatologist office to have this removed as they are telling me IT WILL turn into a melanoma and MUST be dealt with. However, from all of the research I am finding online, this is not necessarily the case? I only have one of these. The dermatology office keeps calling me and bothering me saying they MUST close out this case and either consent for treatment or deny treatment….?

I feel at a loss because of what I'm reading to educate myself vs what they are saying, vs being able to AFFORD a 2nd opinion is a problem for me. I do not have insurance and paid for a full body scan out of pocket for something else I thought may be a problem + path/lab.

I would love any feedback that can be given and would be happy to provide more information if it is necessary for any feedback. I'm age 42 y/o female, caucasian, medium to fair skin living in the South US region. 

Thank you in advance!

Sorry, didn't see this.

I think you're getting the "worst case scenario" info.  As I said before, mildly atypical isn't even considered a big deal at all.  You've had one moderately atypical nevus.  That also isn't melanoma.  Not even close.  My local institution does Mole Mapping.  This is where they photograph each atypical mole at each visit.  Software and the doctors do a comparison.  They only do this on people who have DNS (100+ atypical moles) or people with multiple primaries.  After about 5000 moles mapped, 98.x% were stable and NEVER changed into melanoma.  The changing ones were biopsied and even then, not all were melanoma.

Yes, you can get new moles.  You can get new dysplastic nevus.  What you need to realize is most will never become melanoma even if they are dysplastic.  I know I have at least 15 moles on my body that are dysplastic to some degree.  I've never actually had a benign biopsy.  But as long as the moles aren't changing, I'm not worried about them.  The key to new moles is "do they look different from all my other moles" and "are they changing asymmetrically"?  I could care less if I have a dysplastic nevus as long as it is not changing and doesn't look different from all my other moles "ugly duckling".

I think FAMMM is really not something you should worry about nor internal melanoma.  You don't qualify for FAMMM and the second is so rare that it's not even worth considering.   In general, as we age, we do tend to stop creating moles.  Like with everything, though, it isn't an absolute.  If you are getting new moles, watch that they aren't changing asymmetrically.  Watch that they aren't really different from EVERYTHING else.  If they just look like all your other moles, then they're probably fine.  As I said before, if you were getting biopsies of severely atypical lesions, then the concern level would be much higher.  I, personally, don't even give a second thought to anything mildly atypical.  It's just not in the same realm as the rest.

This seems to be worrying you more than it probably needs to.  I would suggest photographing your moles in lighting you can duplicate.  Then check your moles monthly against the photographs (in the same lighting).  If you find anything that is changing asymmetrically, that is the one to show to your dermatologist.  I wish you luck on finding one that makes you feel comfortable.  I, personally, would avoid Dr. Doom and Gloom and lean toward the mildly concerned one.  The second doctor seems to reflect reality more than the first.

Best wishes,

Janner

Sorry, didn't see this.

I think you're getting the "worst case scenario" info.  As I said before, mildly atypical isn't even considered a big deal at all.  You've had one moderately atypical nevus.  That also isn't melanoma.  Not even close.  My local institution does Mole Mapping.  This is where they photograph each atypical mole at each visit.  Software and the doctors do a comparison.  They only do this on people who have DNS (100+ atypical moles) or people with multiple primaries.  After about 5000 moles mapped, 98.x% were stable and NEVER changed into melanoma.  The changing ones were biopsied and even then, not all were melanoma.

Yes, you can get new moles.  You can get new dysplastic nevus.  What you need to realize is most will never become melanoma even if they are dysplastic.  I know I have at least 15 moles on my body that are dysplastic to some degree.  I've never actually had a benign biopsy.  But as long as the moles aren't changing, I'm not worried about them.  The key to new moles is "do they look different from all my other moles" and "are they changing asymmetrically"?  I could care less if I have a dysplastic nevus as long as it is not changing and doesn't look different from all my other moles "ugly duckling".

I think FAMMM is really not something you should worry about nor internal melanoma.  You don't qualify for FAMMM and the second is so rare that it's not even worth considering.   In general, as we age, we do tend to stop creating moles.  Like with everything, though, it isn't an absolute.  If you are getting new moles, watch that they aren't changing asymmetrically.  Watch that they aren't really different from EVERYTHING else.  If they just look like all your other moles, then they're probably fine.  As I said before, if you were getting biopsies of severely atypical lesions, then the concern level would be much higher.  I, personally, don't even give a second thought to anything mildly atypical.  It's just not in the same realm as the rest.

This seems to be worrying you more than it probably needs to.  I would suggest photographing your moles in lighting you can duplicate.  Then check your moles monthly against the photographs (in the same lighting).  If you find anything that is changing asymmetrically, that is the one to show to your dermatologist.  I wish you luck on finding one that makes you feel comfortable.  I, personally, would avoid Dr. Doom and Gloom and lean toward the mildly concerned one.  The second doctor seems to reflect reality more than the first.

Best wishes,

Janner

One more thing, mildly dysplastic nevi are basically considered benign with no real chance to change into anything more.  Severely atypical nevi are the ones with the highest risk.  Having 4 mildly atypical nevi is really nothing special and really doesn't raise your risk much.  If you said you have 4 severely dysplastic nevi, it would be of much higher concern.

Best wishes,

Janner

One more thing, mildly dysplastic nevi are basically considered benign with no real chance to change into anything more.  Severely atypical nevi are the ones with the highest risk.  Having 4 mildly atypical nevi is really nothing special and really doesn't raise your risk much.  If you said you have 4 severely dysplastic nevi, it would be of much higher concern.

Best wishes,

Janner