Question regarding mole that has grown back

Dr. Rockoff,

I am a fair skinned, dark blonde with green eyes, and many many moles. I did have many sunburns as a kid, but have been vigilant with sun care for the last several years. I have had an odd looking mole on my chest for as long as I can remember. It was biopsied when I was a child but not removed. It was benign at the time. Fasy forward 20 yrs-I decided to have it removed as I was sick of worrying about it. I went to my regular dr who looked at it and said it looked benign. They do laser removal so I requested it be removed. It was raised,smaller than a pencil eraser, with varying shades of brown. He said it was an epidermal nevi (maybe he said intradermal nevi)and said there was less than a 10% chance of return. I went for my yearly skin check about 2 weeks later and the area was still healing. (I KNOW-I should have probably waited for the dermatologist). The results cam back that the mole was normal-I did not see the path report. However, the mole has grown back in less than 2 months and is raised, pinkish flesh color,  a bit shiny,with a tiny brown freckle at the bottom. Does this sound normal for it to grow back so quickly? I know some melanomas are pink and shiny so should i be concerned? Also-the mole never has itched, but I had it original biopsied as child because of when I would dive in the pool it would bleed because of how I hit the water. No bleeding or itching as an adult. Is any of this common? And what exactly is an epidermal nevi? Sorry for the rambling, but just trying to cover the bases.

Should I have this removed again? I do appreciate your help.

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

No, don't have it removed again, at least not until you consult a dermatologist.  When anything is removed from the chest, the result is often a hypertrophic (thickened) scar that looks exactly like what you describe.  This flattens over the course of a year or so.  If it's bothersome,e a cortisone shot can flatten it faster, but this is usually not necessary.  Have the dermatologist review and explain the biopsy report as well.  Epidermal nevi are not true moles, and have no precancerous potential.  They have epidermal components, not the melanocytes that make up what we ordinarily call 'moles.'  The skin doctor can reassure you and set you straight.

Take care.

Dr. Rockoff