Junctional melanocytic nevus

Hi Doctor,

I am a 49 year old woman and I recently had a mole removed on my upper arm and here are the results of that excision:

- Junctional melanocytic nevus with moderate cytologic atypia and features of a dysplastic nevus.

Although my doctor wasn't really concerned about it, I was still concerned when I had left.  So I did a little research on the internet.  I guess I would like your opinion also as well.

1.  Should I really be worried about this?

2.  What are the chances of this turning into melanoma?

3.  Am I predisposed to this type of problem and melanoma now that I have had one?

I would really appreciate your opinion.  Thank you so much.

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

1.  Should I really be worried about this?
No.  If a mole has moderate atypia, most pathologists recommend that the whole mole be removed, just to be sure it couldn't turn into something someday (even though we don;t really know if it ever would.)  If the mole has been completely removed already, there's nothing more to do or think about.  Your doctor can tell you whether that's the case.  If it isn't, the doctor can take a little bit more tissue off to make sure the mole is gone.

2.  What are the chances of this turning into melanoma?
Once it's off, no chance.

3.  Am I predisposed to this type of problem and melanoma now that I have had one?
Not unless you have lots of other funny moles.  Having one moderately atypical mole doesn't increase your risk of melanoma very much, or at all.  In any case, all you need to do is get yourself checked regularly, so the dermatologist can look at all your moles.

Take care.

Dr. Rockoff