Brown streak after mole removal (Photo)

Question

I had a mole removed from my hand in January 2024. It had bothered me for a while. For completeness the mole was sent for histology which confirmed it was a “benign intradermal melancytic naevi” I am now 3 months post removal and the area has developed a brown streak in the scar. This has really worried me. It is still less bothersome than the original mole so aesthetically I have no issue. What I am struggling with is whether this pigment is something to be concerned about. Thank you

Sara R. Dickie, MD · Answer

This is a recurrent nevus. In simple terms there were a few nevus cells that didn't get removed and they have grown in the scar. There is nothing about the recurrence that makes it likely to be different than the pathology showed, which was benign. Scar tissue does not cause benign nevi to turn malignant. However, a dermatologist looking at this under dermoscopy (magnified imaging) may not be able to tell if there are changes happening long term because the scar disturbs the standard pigment pattern. Also, Nevus cells in scar tissue can look atypical to dermatopathologists, especially if they don't have access to the original pathology specimen. If it doesn't bother you, don't worry about it. If it worries you, get it re-excised, it will give you piece of mind.

Brown streak after mole removal (Photo)

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Brown streak after mole removal (Photo)

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