Melanoma or Dysplastic Nevi

My husband has an abnormal mole on his back.  He has several risk factors for developing melanoma.  His maternal grandfather died of Melanoma and his mother has battled skin cancer.  He suffered a severe blistering sunburn when he was 7 years old.  He has fair skin and light eyes and tends to burn easily.  

The mole has been there awhile but something about it struck me as different just a couple days ago.  It is about the size of a pencil eraser.  I have researched this for the past 3 days and have concluded that it is either a melanoma or dysplastic nevi.  I am adding a picture and any information you could give me would be greatly appreciated.  We are a young family, he's just 32 years old, and we have 4 small children.  I am going out of my mind here.  Thank you so much.

-Stacie

[Pum]

Which is the one you are concerned about?

The one on the left looks very similar to one I have that my doctor says to "keep and eye on". At the moment your husband's one looks quite regular in shape but it is more than one colour and fades into the surrounding skin. So it has some attributes which mean he should show a professional but it doesn't look like something to "go out of your mind about". Keeping a photo for reference is a good idea, then if it changes you can notice it early. Melanoma is very treatable if caught early and they tend to spread width wise before they start to burrow. Has it changed? That's the number one clue.

The one on the right looks like a senile wart but again show a professional but try to not panic.

I'm not an expert by the way but have had experience with a family member with melanoma and live in a country with a lot of melanoma.

[jabelone]

Hi Stacie - First off, I am not a doctor so this is just my opinion. I had MM over ten years ago. I went to my doctor myself and asked to have a similar mole removed and tested. The positive test result led to my family all being checked for melanoma too, and a few weeks later they found it on my Dad. Unfortunately, his MM had metasticized and he eventually died. My point is, I know moles. I have looked at my own and those of my family many times over the years. I have thoroughly researched moles to educate myself about them (I have also had a few dysplastic Nevi). It sounds like you have educated yourself as well.

That being said, I think the darker mole in your picture needs to be biopsied given your husbands details (family history, fair skin...). It exhibits the traits that apply to melanoma in terms of unclear edges, multi-coloration and size. I'm not saying this to scare you. Your husband is probably safe, but that mole fits the criteria. Anyone who tells you otherwise is playing with your husbands life. Get it biopsied and sent to a lab by your family doctor. If he won't do that, go to another doctor. The biopsy is no big deal (trust me, I've had dozens over the years). You'll probably be relieved to discover it's nothing serious, but you have to be vigilant about this disease and err on the side of caution. Don't worry, just get it done.

[ChitChatNine]

I agree with above poster.... I have had similar ones that have come back severely atypical (dysplstic nevi) and are now gone so no more worries on them.  It is always wise to have them checked and biopsied if appropriate as early detection is key.

The color and irregular borders and size is what I see as reason to see your dermatologist on this one .... but don't panic cause oftentimes they come back totally benign, too.

I have had about a dozen atypical moles removed..I'd say 7 of them have been shave biopsies and finished with only a shave and the other 5 have been re-excised clean to the margin.  I've also had about 6 suspicious ones removed that were totally benign including one that bled, oozed and didn't heal well for 6mos .. it was benign too.

My early melanoma was more one color (tan) with only a hint of red/brown .. it grew a tail like a shrimp which alerted me to a changing mole and was the size of a pencil eraser.

Here are the things to look for:

A: Assymetry
B: Irregular Borders
C:  Color

C~

[bebeoh]

I have just had surgery for two melanomas.  One was a odd looking sploch and one a mole.  The sploch was a stage 1 and the mole a stage 3.  Also had to have one lymph node removed.  They got it all and I am cancer free, but my mole looked like your picture.  This is my third melanoma.  I watched that mole too long before I went to the doctor.  So foolish of me.  It was the only mole that I had.  Best to have to removed.

[Stace1980]

Thank you all so much for your input.  I made an appointment with a dermatologist at Siteman Cancer Center for this coming Friday, the 5th for my husband.  I will post an update then.

Again, my heartfelt thanks.

[Stace1980]

Just wanted to give a quick update.  My husband had a punch biopsy on Friday and we're awaiting the results.

[Pum]

Both of you take care of yourselves while waiting and thanks for updating.

[bebeoh]

Take care of let us know the results.  Hope all will be fine.

[ChitChatNine]

Please let us know the results . I get mine anywhere from 2-12 days ... a punch biopsy .. ouch .. does it hurt now?

C~

[Stace1980]

We received the biopsy results yesterday.  It showed severely abnormal cells on the outside edges of the sample.  They stopped short of making a definitive diagnoses of Melanoma but need him to come in for another biopsy within the next week or two.  They will take an additional 5 mm.  My head and my gut tell me it IS a melanoma but I'm hopeful that it would be in its earliest stages.  

My husband did great with the punch biopsy.  After the local he didn't feel a thing.  He received 4 stitches and had just a little bit of discomfort at the site the following day.  

Thanks again for all the support....I'll be updating soon.  

[Pum]

Good luck to you both. I have a good feeling about this.