Am I A High Risk For Melanoma?

[D Tatum]

I am 28 and I am covered by hundreds of funny looking moles and I can’t tell which ones are bad. My father and sister have both had Melanoma. About a year ago I had several moles removed and the lab reports all said “Compound Dysplastic Nevus with (slight, moderate, or severe) Atypia.” Two moles came back as slight, three moles moderate, and one mole severe.

The lab report on the severe mole said, “There is an area of fibrosis, inflammation, and melanophage accumulation which is surrounded on either side by dysplastic nevus with lamellar fibroplasia. In the fibrotic area, there is epidermal atrophy and bridging of multiple rete ridges by nests of atypical melanocytes. This is a worrisome area. Re-excision with a 5 mm margin is recommended” Can you translate that for me and tell me exactly what that means?

The DR said I was high risk, exactly how high of a risk am I? Is there a range of risk for someone with my profile? He wanted me to come back every four months, but I ran out of student insurance. I finally got a good job and will get insurance in a couple of months. I plan on going to a nearby cancer institute that does mole mapping. Am I a candidate for that and will it even help?

Oh and one of the moles that was classified as Moderately Atypical has returned. Is it important to have that removed again? The DR removed the mole twice and it is in my belly button and I don't look forward to a third time. I have had new moles show up on my palms and bottom of feet, but DR didn't concentrate on those. Are those any more of a risk than others?

FreezingInUtah

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

You are at very high risk.  Two close relatives plus many moles equals extremely high risk.  You need to be checked very frequently.  This is not something to save money on.  If necessary, ask your doctor to consider moderating visit and biopsy fees in view of your lack of insurance.  The mole that was biopsied looked suspicious to the pathology but was not a melanoma.  If you have questions about biopsies, you need to speak to the doctor who performed the biopsy.

You owe it to yourself to be responsible in your won behalf.

Best.

Dr. Rockoff

[D Tatum]

My previous Dermatoligist was in Arizona, I am in Utah now and I found out that there is a cancer institute in Salt Lake that does digital mole mapping and they also have a melanoma research clinic and a high risk melanoma risk study. I guess I am assuming that I would fit that profile. I am getting insurance soon so that is where I am headed.

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

That is an excellent idea.  Good luck.

Dr. Rockoff