atypical nevus

[concernedmom964]

Just received pathology report for a very small mole that was shaved/removed.  Report states diagnosis as "junctional melanocytic nevus with moderate to focally severe architectural disorder and focal mild melanocytic cytological atypia, (dysplastic nevus): re-excision is recommended.

Is this something to be concerned about or just removed to be safe?  Is it really necessary to re-excise?  The report stated that the lesion appears to be completely, but narrowly, excised.  From what I have read, the architectural atypia is not significant but the mild level of cytologic atypia is more the basis for any further treatment.  

[concernedmom964]

Thank you for the response.  The last biopsy came back completely clear, so I guess they got it all the first time after all! Guess I will just keep getting checked every 6 mos-year.

[ChitChatNine]

Oh -- PS:  I meant to say that one of the initial biopsies came back melanoma .. not a re-excised one growing back into one.

[ChitChatNine]

Hi, having been a patient who's had about 7-8 of these types of moles re-excised to the margin my answer may not be so neutral.  I was told it is very important to have all normal cells in the margin so there's no regrowth, with minimal chance of it coming back atypical, or worse, melanoma.  After having many come back ok wtih no re-excision it was only a matter of time until I had one come back melanoma.

So, it's (as I have been told) imperative to have the borders clear if you want to rid the atypical characteristics/risk for further development or redevelopment, etc.

However, I am a member like like you and not a doc.

C~