severly atypical mole

[mtpk0620]

My daughter is 13 years old and had 2 moles "shave" biopsied on her last visit to the dermatologist for acne.  They were on her scalp.  One of them came back as "atypical" and the dermotologist used the term "severe" and "I think we caught this just in time".  Her appt. was changed from one week to three weeks away so the dermatologist could see her and not the PA. We had already waited over 3 weeks for the results.  My question is in regard to how quickly this needs to be taken care of and If it would be wise to find her a doctor specializing in more of a pediatric field?  I really don't know...  She has several more dark moles on her scalp at this time and it is my quess that they may biopsy the remaining ones.  They all have irregular borders and are dark in color.  The one I suspect that came back abnormal had a black border around a pale center.  Odd thing is....I never let her in the midday sun without sunblock.. no sunburns beyond under her eyes where she was prone to rub them and that was only slight sunburn.  Thank you very much for your time!!  :).  

[mtpk0620]

     We have now found a great dermatologist that my daughter loves!!!  They biopsied three moles from her scalp and they returned at mildly dysplastic.. believe it or not.. I was relieved by this because one of the moles looked pretty ugly!!!  The problem is that I recieved the biopsy report from the excision of her severly dysplastic mole...  the first biopsy said that "lateral margins are involved" and the excised biopsy said "no residual nevi seen"  only "dermal scar".  At the time she had her first 2 biopsies done the normal one was "margins are focally involved at the skin appendages".  What does this mean?  I have researched and researched and I still haven't come to any sort of peace of mind.  The mole that first caught my attention had a pale center with a black border and it's border was only half cut off when the shave biopsy was done.  That mole is still visible on her scalp. I just doesn't seem to match up.   I am having all her slides sent to the pathologist that works with her new dermatologist but the one who diagnosed the severely dysplastic mole is dragging their feet.  I am now looking at three months since the biopsy.  I am feeling a bit frustrated at the moment.  Back to my main question....What does "focally involved"  and "laterally involved" mean?  :)
Thanks a bunch!!Tammy

[mtpk0620]

Just an update on this post...  My daughters removal of her severe dysplastic mole was done yesterday.  Unfortunately, it was a very traumatic experience in which she felt lots of pain and the staff were not friendly. (this was the second dermatologist we went to).  While holding the scapel the doctor asked me if I knew what melanoma was and what it would do to her body when I said yes he wanted me to tell him over the head of my very alert and anxious teenager. (of course, I wouldn't)  She is extremely scared of the rest of this process at this time.  I have just reassured her that we are now going to a doctor who specializes in children and not adults.   The doctor was told about the other moles on her head and he said she was "cured" all the while her other moles were not took into consideration.  We are looking at 2 months since the first biopsy.  We have another appointment with a dermatologist that works through a childrens hospital in less than a week.  I can't wait to find a physician that I can just talk to and will take her health and well being more seriously.  I will keep looking until we find what she needs!!
  I will keep you posted.. thanks again.

[Vanessa Lacuesta]

Hi

You are welcome. Let us hope things go well from here. Get the best care for your child. I feel that this requires a specialist’s attention so that you and your child may be guided early on. Take pictures of the moles so that you have a reference later on. Do not hesitate to look for second opinions so that the best care be given your child.

Do keep us posted with regards to your baby’s progress.

[mtpk0620]

I do not feel anything unusual on her neck and head but while I was checking I found another mole with a pale center....needless to say, I am scared for my baby...  the mole is approx. 1/4-1/2 inch in diameter with the border a brown color which blends into another mole.  No family history of skin cancer.  God loves my baby even more than I do and I will remember that he is good ALL THE TIME!!!!  I cannot express how much I appreciate chatting with you!!  Thank you from the bottom of my heart!!

[Vanessa Lacuesta]

Hi

I would suggest that you seek consult with a pediatrician to have this thoroughly assessed. She may need a referral to a specialist. The results of atypical moles definitely need further assessment. Bring the results of the biopsy with you. A complete physical examination including exclusion of palpable nodes or other moles and discolorations  in the body has to be ascertained.

Are there any swollen lumps or nodes on the neck or the back of the head?