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Is a Punch Biopsy Enough for a Dysplastic Nervus with Moderate Atypia?

I had a punch biopsy done to remove a mole from my leg. The diagnosis was: "lentiginous junctional dysplastic nervus with moderate atypia, focally extending to the peripheral specimen margin". The doctor told me that the result is completely normal and that I don't need to have anything else done. Is is true that no other surgical excision is needed? Thank you very much.

Doctor Answers 7

Dysplastic nevus with moderate atypia

January 22nd, 2012
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Moderately dysplastic nevi (moles) should be excised. If the margins were clear, the punch biopsy would have been enough. But since the lesion extends to the margins, a simple re-excision should be performed.

Gary Goldenberg, MD


New York Dermatologist

Mole excision

January 5th, 2012
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While this is benign pathology there is a description of atypical cells.  Rexcision to obtain clear margins would be recommended to be safe. Ongoing monitoring of moles is advised.

Web reference: http://www.solomonfacialplastic.com/facial-plastic-surgery/mole-lesion-removal.php

Philip Solomon, MD, FRCS

Philip Solomon, MD, FRCS
Toronto Facial Plastic Surgeon
4.2 out of 5 stars 77 reviews

Treatment of Dysplastic Nevus with Moderate Atypia

December 27th, 2011
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In my practice, I routinely excise (cutting with sutures) a lesion (or the biopsy site of where the lesion was sampled)  that histologically displays "moderate atypia" and "extends to the peripheral specimen margin." The excision should be conservative as to spare healthy tissue but adequate so as to achieve clear margins.  Once a patient has a "dysplastic" or "atypical" mole, I recommend full body skin exams twice yearly (every 6 months). At this time, I suggest you consult with a well-trained, board-certified dermatologist to further treat this lesion and to do your twice yearly skin exams with. 

Web reference: http://www.barnettdermatology.com/conditions.php?id=21

Channing R. Barnett, MD

Dysplastic Nevus with Atypia

December 23rd, 2011
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Although biologically benign, most doctors agree that it is best to remove dysplastic nevi. A punch biopsy is only used for diagnosis but not treatement unless the lesion is so tiny that it is completely removed with the punch and does not come to the margin.

Jacob Freiman, MD, FACS

Jacob Freiman, MD, FACS
Miami Plastic Surgeon
4.5 out of 5 stars 250 reviews

Excise Moderately Atypical Moles

December 20th, 2011
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We routinely excise nevi with moderate or severe atypia in our practice until there are clear margins.  If we get a report back that states the lesion goes to the edge of the specimen, we would re-excise it.

Lawrence Osman, MD

Lawrence Osman, MD
Los Angeles Dermatologic Surgeon
5.0 out of 5 stars 5 reviews

Moderately atypical moles should be completely excised

December 17th, 2011
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In our office, we will do an excision with suture closure to get clear margins for all moles that have moderate to severe atypia. As your growth was found to extend to the peripheral margin, there is still some of the mole remaining that needs to be removed. These are considered to be precancerous growths and conservative treatment is wise. We also follow all of our "atypical mole" patients by doing full skin examinations every six months. I recommend you see a board certified dermatologist for both your surgery options as well as your follow-up examinations twice yearly. 

Web reference: http://www.dorsetstreetdermatology.com/general-dermatology/skin-cancer/

Mitchell Schwartz, MD

Mitchell Schwartz, MD
South Burlington Dermatologic Surgeon
5.0 out of 5 stars 10 reviews

Mole with Moderate Atypia

December 17th, 2011
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This is somewhat in a gray area and opinions will vary among dermatologists. While all dermatologists would agree that a mole described as severely atypical warrants a total excision, therapeutic strategies regarding those interpreted as being moderately atypical varies. I personally will re-excise a nevus which has been called moderately atypical.  The procedure is simple and has low morbidity. If there is a family history of melanoma, the reasons for excision become even more compelling. Further the peace of mind we give our patients with a complete excision is also important. 

Be sure, that you practice self examination, inform your family doctor of this result and have follow up visits with your dermatologist.

Possibly by your next visit he/she will be using the Melafind device. This was recently approved by the FDA, and using computerized dermascopy, will allow us much greater accuracy in mole detection.

In other words a dysplastic nervus....would make me nervous...so off it goes!

Arnold R. Oppenheim, MD

Arnold R. Oppenheim, MD
Virginia Beach Dermatologist
4.7 out of 5 stars 13 reviews

These answers are for educational purposes and should not be relied upon as a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.