melanoma

[lucy5]

I am a 54 year old healthy female. Recently I had a mole removed and biopsied. The findings were as follows: Dysplastic compound nevus with moderate to marked melanocytic atypia. "This represents a dysplastic nevus in which there is high-grade atypia that borders on early evolving melanoma." I have three children in their 20's, in the past two of them have had moles removed that have come back atypia, but not as bad as mine, according to our doctor. HOw close is all of this to melanoma. Should I be frightened for my children, as healthy young men "out in the world," they think of themselves as invincible and I have little control over getting them to the doctor, all I can do is advise and worry. What are their chances of getting melanoma with me as a Mother and their having had some atypical dysplastic nevis removed in the past. Thank you so much for your help, my doctor is always so busy to answer all my questions.

[arbindo]

A dysplastic nevus (aka atypical nevus)is somewhere between a normal nevus and a melanoma as suggested by Dr. A single atypical nevus carries a higher chance of progressing to a melanoma than a normal melanocytic nevus. It is important to routinely self examine your other nevi. It is important to look out for change- change in size, color varigation, surface texture,shape & also for irritation and bleeding. There is such a thing called atypical nevus syndrome which is familial and does in fact carry an increased risk for MM. Those affected have plenty of these atypical nevi, more than 50 at times and have to observe strict sun protection and self examination and schedule regular visits to the dermatologist.Take care.

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

Your mole is close to melanoma, but didn't actually get there.  Your children should be examined to see whether they have any other risk factors, such as large numbers of moles or many irregular ones.  Most melanoma is no familial.  A visit with a dermatologist should tell them whether they need especially close surveillance or not.  They're grown-ups, so in the end they will need to be responsible for themselves, but that's true of all aspects of child-rearing...

Best.

Dr. Rockoff