Meaning of medical terms

[Wanda Pfeiffer`]

I have a wonderful dermatologist, who has answered many questions

for me regarding my skin conditions. But I have a question which

I have not asked him. I have had numerous skin lesions excised, and I have a family history of melanoma.  Following biopsy, my lab reports always state that the sample is "DN (dysplastic nevus) OR MM".  What exactly does this mean (MM), and what stage or level of skin is affected?  My phsician always excises an ample amount of surrounding tissue, and the margins are always clear. I'm sure I don't have anything to worry about, but I would like a medical explanation of this lab terminology.  Thank you.

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

Wanda:



This is a guess you'll need to confirm with your dermatologist, but you're probably reading the diagnostic impression the dermatologist puts down as his or her clinical suspicion:  "DN"-dypslastic nevus" of "MM"-malignant melanoma.  In other words, your doctor is asking, "Is this just a dysplastic nevus, or is it a melanoma?"  Presumably, the answer has always been, No, it's not!"



Incidentally, this shows that having patients see their lab reports, sometimes framed as a "consumer empowerment" issue, is a lot mor ambiguous and complex than it looks.



Hope this helps.



Best.



Dr. Rockoff

[Darcy Lau]

I also had moles removed that came back dysplastic nevus.  I am

not sure what that means.  Other than I was told it was pre-

cancer.  I think the word cancer is such a scary word that it

had me pretty upset.  I have to have more tissue taken from

one of the moles.  An answer to what dysplastic nevus or pre-

cancer means would be a great help to me.

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

It means a mole that looks funny under the microscope, not that it's necessarily precancerous.  You should ask your dermatologist for clarification.  Dr. Rockoff

[TINA]

I wanted to know why my hair fall's out so much in the last past 4 week's it fell's out in bunch's but there are no bald spot's what could it be ?

[TINA]

I wanted to know why my hair fall's out so much in the last past 4 week's it fell's out in bunch's but there are no bald spot's what could it be ?