atypical dyslastic moles

I am a 54 year old healthy female. I just had a mole removed from my lower back. The lab report came back as severely atypical dysplastic. I now have to go back and have more tissue from around the mole removed and tested. Is this skin cancer? Is this normal procedure? What are they looking for? Any questions I should ask?

Thanks so much!

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

Yes.  When a mole is considered severely dysplastic, that means it isn't melanoma but is getting close.  Removal again with more tissue for safety is what's done.

I would ask whether the slide was read by a dermatopathologist (pathologist specializing in skin.)  Other than that, I'd be sure to get a full body check for other moles every 6 months, and be careful in the sun.

Take care.

Dr. Rockoff

[lucy5]

If my labs were not read by a dermapathologist, how do I find one to read it?

Thanks!

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

You can submit a written request and the slides will be sent.  If the doctor who did the biopsy is a dermatologist, I would bet that that's who read the slides in the first place.

Dr. Rockoff