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Some Pigment Left Behind After Mole Biopsy

asked 1 year ago by Erin1102 in NY
Latest answer by Alison Stallings, MD
Question viewed 3,718 times
Tags: inner thighs, biopsy, pigmentation

I had a mole biopsied 4 years ago. The results came back that it was benign. It was a sort of shave biopsy on a flat mole and there is a little bit of pigment left behind in the scar. My question is: Do i have to worry about this pigment left behind turning into cancer? Can i leave it alone or should i have it "dug out" The biopsy was on my inner thigh. Thank you!

12 answers to Some Pigment Left Behind After Mole Biopsy

+1

Return of pigment after mole removal

Some recurrence of pigmentation after a shave removal of a mole is very common, and usually nothing to be concerned about. The pigmentation is often somewhat irregular appearing. Since it was benign after the initial biopsy, it is unlikely to be dangerous, but I would still have the mole evaluated by a dermatologist.
Alison Stallings, MD

Tarrytown Dermatologic Surgeon
+1

Mole came back

The is called a recurrent nevus (a mole that came back after removal). If the original biopsy showed a benign growth (not cancer), than the recurrent nevus is also benign. This can be removed for cosmetic reasons.
Gary Goldenberg, MD

New York Dermatologist
+1

Shaved mole leaving brown spot

If a mole was shaved and read as benign then I would not worry about recurrent pigment. If the pigmentation bothers you it can be further removed or can often be faded with cryotherapty(freezing). 
Jo Herzog, MD

Birmingham Dermatologist
+1

Pigment after Mole Removal

The goal of a biopsy is to determine if something that looked atypical to the eye during your exam, is in fact atypical -- cancerous or pre-cancerous.  If the pathology report shows a benign process, removal of the residual pigment is not necessary.  Many moles have some residual pigment, or pigment recurs, after a shave biopsy.  If the color begins to change or returning pigment continues to grow or change, then I would have it re-examined and probably excised.  Make... more
Jeffrey C. Poole, MD

Metairie Dermatologic Surgeon
+1

Shave biopsies of moles may leave some of the mole in the skin

Shave biopsies of moles may leave some of the mole in the skin. By definition the shave only removes the part of the mole that is above the skin and anything left behind may grow. If the biopsy is not malignant the remaining mole is safe unless it turns colors, grows, or bleeds.
Edward Lack, MD

Chicago Dermatologist
+1

What to do about residual pigmentation from a shaved off lesion

If the pathology report definitively indicated that this mole was benign, then the residual pigment does not necessarily need to be removed. However, if you do see some changes occurring in it, I would recommend that it be removed in its entirety - and not just shaved off. Your other option which should help allay your anxiety would be to have this residual pigmentation completely excised and then sent to pahtology. Then, you will have one less issue to worry about.
Steven Turkeltaub, MD

Scottsdale Plastic Surgeon
+1

Benign mole does not need re-excision

After a mole is removed, repigmentation may often occur. This occurs more frequently after shave biopsies, but I have seen it even after deep excisions. If the original biopsy was benign, the recurrent mole does not need to be re-excised. If the original biopsy showed atypical cells and the pigmentation recurs, then the mole may need re-excision.
Diane Orlinsky, MD

Towson Dermatologic Surgeon
+1

Residual pigment after shave biopsy

Dear Erin, this is one of the limitations of shave biopsy.  The mole may not be completely excised and residual pigment can be left.  The alternative is to have it formally excised, this will leave a slightly longer scar, but it will be narrower, hopefully a hairline scar.  It is swings and roundabouts really. You can be reassured that the histology has come back as benign, so you do not need it re-excised, although you may choose to have it excised if you do not like... more
Jonathan J Staiano, MBBS

Birmingham Plastic Surgeon
+1

What to do about recurrent pigment in a removed mole

If a mole is incompletely removed and there are some melanocytes remaining below the area of removal, it often recurs.  To remove a mole completely, it has to be cut out and stitched so that the deeper components are taken out. If the mole was initially read by a pathologist as benign, no atypia of any sort, then a recurrence can be left alone. If there was some atypia, I would recommend removing the rest of it with an excision. Have your dermatologist take a look at the... more
Emily Altman, MD

Short Hills Dermatologic Surgeon
+1

Pigment after a Mole Biopsy

I disagree strongly with the comment below. Your biopsy report showed it to be a benign mole. Frequently after a shave biopsy there is a deeper portion of the mole left behind which can produce pigmentation causing an irregular pattern. That is completely normal and you do not need a further excision. Of course, there always is an extremely unlikely possibility that the portion of the mole that was left behind could be changing into a skin cancer but there are many other signs of cancer... more
Mitchell Schwartz, MD

South Burlington Dermatologic Surgeon

dorsetstreetdermatology.com

+1

Irregular mole should be removed.

Hi. This residual mole has very irregular contour, and that is one of the danger signs.  So I would recommend having it completely excised by a surgeon, not shaved.
George J. Beraka, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+1

Remaining pigment after mole biopsy is usually not concerning

If a mole is not removed entirely, it is not unusual for some pigment to remain, or for some pigment to develop at the site.  If the original pathology report from the biopsy said the mole was benign, then there is usually no cause for concern.  You should have the site checked by a dermatologist to ensure there is no reason to re-excise the mole.  Best of luck to you.  
Timothy G. Rodgers, MD

Dallas Dermatologist

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