Compound Nevus with Moderate Atypical Melanocytic Hyperplasia

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I am a 46 year old white male with light skin, partially freckled.  I am of Irish decent.

I recently had a mole removed from my lower back (just left of my spine) and tested.  The test came back with the following results:

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Clinical Information And/OR Impression:

A) Pigmented Nevus

Diagnosis:

A) Back (Excision): Compound Nevus with Moderate Atypical Melanocytic Hyperplasia, Inked Histologic Margins Free

Pathologist: electronically signed by Brenda Javier, M.D. Derm

Gross Description:

A) Specimen is received in formalin labeled with patient's name, and consist of a skin ellipse measuring, in cm. 2.0 x 0.7 x 0.5.  The skin is surfaced by a 0.5 cm. brown lesion.  The excisional margins are marked with black ink.  The specimen is entirely submitted in two cassette (s).

Performing Laboratory Information:
Unilab Institute of Pathology, 18700 Oxnard Street, Tarzana, CA  91356, Laboratory Director: Paul Wertlake, MD

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My doctor didn't seem too concern but after I returned home from the office visit I started to read some articles on the internet about "Compound Nevus" and especially "Atypical Melanocytic Hyperplasia" and I became concerned.  My questions are these:


1. How concerned should I be about this diagnosis?

2. Is this the same thing as Melanoma?

3. If not, what are the chances of this turning into Melanoma?

4. Now that I've gotten this, what are the chances I will get more of these in the future or what are the chances of getting Melanoma in the future (am I now pre-disposed to melanoma)?

5. How often do I need to get my skin checked from now on?

6. Could recent lower back pain and problems with my eyesight be related to this?

7. Is this something I need to tell my family (i.e, does this type of run in families)?

8. Once my Cal-Cobra coverage expires soon, will I be considered un-insurable?

Thank you.

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

1. How concerned should I be about this diagnosis?
Not at all.

2. Is this the same thing as Melanoma?
No.

3. If not, what are the chances of this turning into Melanoma?
None.

4. Now that I've gotten this, what are the chances I will get more of these in the future or what are the chances of getting Melanoma in the future (am I now pre-disposed to melanoma)?
Small, at most.  I'd get rechecked once a year.

5. How often do I need to get my skin checked from now on?
Once a year.

6. Could recent lower back pain and problems with my eyesight be related to this?
No.

7. Is this something I need to tell my family (i.e, does this type of run in families)?
No.

8. Once my Cal-Cobra coverage expires soon, will I be considered un-insurable?
No.

"Atypical" is not a precise word.  No one knows if your kind of mole ever would have turned into anything.  Now that it's all out, you don;t to think about it at all.

Best.

Dr. Rockoff

[needaddinfo]

Thank you for your valuable time and feedback Dr. Rockoff