Moderate Atypia. Is It Melanoma?

asked 1 year ago by TrueSouthernBelle in Arkansas
Latest answer by Gary Goldenberg, MD
Question viewed 5,733 times
Tags: age 18-24, stomach, atypia, cancer, melanoma, moderate

I am almost 22 and have been tanning in beds since I was in a preteen. (I won't be anymore) I got the results back from a biopsy and the mole was "moderate atypia." I have to go back in a couple weeks so my Dr can remove the skin around where they cut out my mole on my stomach. They said I would get stitches from this. Does this term "moderate atypia" mean I have cancer? What does it mean? Will I have a big scar from this next procedure where they remove more skin around it? Should I be worried?

7 answers to Moderate Atypia. Is It Melanoma?

Moderate atypia is not cancer, nor is it "benign"

Having a mole that shows "moderate atypia" means that if you do not have it removed, it could progress and "change" into a cancerous, (malignant), skin tumor. Takiing out a small amount of skin around the lesion is appriate to assure "total" removal of all the abnormal cells, but this is typically a small amount of of additional skin.

Debra Irizarry, MD
Crestone Plastic Surgeon

You are doing the right thing

Because it is not a cancer you only need a very thin margin of normal skin around it when it is removed. Yes there will be a scar, but it ought to be fairly small and fine, and become less conspicious with time, (as opposed to the mole which may likely have grown). I agree that with your history of tanning - an annual visit to your dermatologist is more than just a good idea. It might literally save your life.

Christopher J. Peers, MD
South Bend Facial Plastic Surgeon

A moderately atypical mole is not melanoma, but should be removed.

Do not panic. "Moderate atypia" in a mole means that some of the cells have started to behave abnormally, and it is more than "mild" but not "severe". Melanoma is a mole that is "beyond severely abnormal", but you do not want to leave the remaining portion or border of a moderately atypical mole in your skin, because over time the remaining cells can continue to change, and it is very hard to follow visually. Best to have a small excision with... more

Jessica J. Krant, MD, MPH
Manhattan Dermatologic Surgeon

Moderately Atypical Nevi are controversial...

Your questions are very good ones. In short, moderately atypical nevi (moles) are not cancerous. When you get the lesion removed, the scar should be slightly larger than your biopsy scar. Usually these are excised and closed in a linear fashion; so you should just have a fine line for a scar (with the length determined by the size of the mole). Atypical nevi (moles) are very controversial lesions. I would say the most dermatopathologists don't... more

Brent Spencer, MD
Frisco Dermatologic Surgeon

Atypical moles are important

Great question- and you are right to be avoiding tanning beds from now on. Atypical moles are neither cancer nor regular moles. Controversy exists as to whether they are "pre-cancers" or simply a sign that someone is at higher risk for skin cancer. Under the microscope, cancers are seen developing within these lesions, so I agree with your plan to have the mole completely removed so that you do not have to worry about it. The size of the scar depends on... more

Victoria W. Serralta, MD
Arlington Dermatologic Surgeon

Moderate dysplasia

Dysplastic nevi (moles) are NOT melanoma. They are a marker for an increase in melanoma risk. Most melanomas (75%) arise from normal skin, not from pre-existing moles. However, if a mole is changing or growing, or if it looks different from other moles, it may be biopsied to rule ouy melanoma. If such a biopsy comes back as a dysplastic nevus with moderate, focal severe, or severe dysplasia, it needs to be excisied (completely removed or cut out) to make sure it doesn't turn into a... more

Gary Goldenberg, MD
New York Dermatologist

An atypical mole is not cancer. Should avoid tanning bed and sunbathing

Moderate atypia of a mole means that it is abnormal and must be removed. It does not represent a skin cancer but if left untreated, may progress into a melanoma. Tanning booth usage, particularly for a long time as you indicated, is notorious for leading to these atypical moles and even melanoma in addition to causing significant premature aging of your skin. Complete cessation of usage of tanning booths - and sun bathing is mandatory. You should also regularly use a high factor sun... more

Steven Turkeltaub, MD
Scottsdale Plastic Surgeon

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