Dysplastic Nevus
A nevus (or melanocytic nevus) is a benign growth on the skin that is formed by a cluster of melanocytes (cells that produce the dark pigment and gives skin its color). A nevus is a pigmented mole. A dysplastic nevus (or atypical nevus) differs from a common nevus in size, shape, color, and surface texture. Dysplastic nevi are benign and most of them do not become melanoma, however, associates with an increased risk of melanoma.
The chance of developing melanoma is ten times greater for people with more than five dysplastic nevi compared to those who have none. Sporadically dysplastic nevus can occur sporadically, meaning there is no other cases in a family. Dysplastic nevus can be a symptom of FAMMM (Familial Atypical Multiple Mole Melanoma) syndrome when multiple family members are affected. FAMMM syndrome is an inherited condition characterized by the presence of multiple nevi, some being dysplastic, and melanoma.
- Atypical nevi are symptom of FAMMM syndrome.
- Sun exposure increases the number of common nevus, perhaps same for dysplastic nevus.
- Atypical nevi are symptom of FAMMM syndrome.
- Sun exposure increases the number of common nevus, perhaps same for dysplastic nevus.
- Avoid prolonged exposure under sunlight between 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., wear sunscreen at least SPF 50
- Wear protective clothing covering the arms and legs, broad-brimmed hat.
- Avoid tanning beds.
- Examine your skin often.
- Occurs most often on head and neck, less often on genitals.
- Avoid prolonged exposure under sunlight between 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., wear sunscreen at least SPF 50
- Wear protective clothing covering the arms and legs, broad-brimmed hat.
- Avoid tanning beds.
- Examine your skin often.
- Occurs most often on head and neck, less often on genitals.
- Although benign, dysplastic nevus exhibits some clinical features of malignant melanoma.
- Dysplastic Nevi can be found anywhere in the body.
- Although benign, dysplastic nevus exhibits some clinical features of malignant melanoma.
- Dysplastic Nevi can be found anywhere in the body.
- Doctor can examine the nevi with naked eyes or use dermoscopy. (uses dermatoscope, a hand-held high quality magnifying lens and powerful lighting to examine the skin surface).
- If cannot distinguish between atypical nevus and a melanoma, a suspicious or changing atypical nevus should be removed by excision biopsy and samples sent to the lab.
- Doctor can examine the nevi with naked eyes or use dermoscopy. (uses dermatoscope, a hand-held high quality magnifying lens and powerful lighting to examine the skin surface).
- If cannot distinguish between atypical nevus and a melanoma, a suspicious or changing atypical nevus should be removed by excision biopsy and samples sent to the lab.
- Normally, a dysplastic nevus that demonstrates no changes does not need to be removed.
- If demonstrates changes, remove the entire dysplastic nevus by excisional biopsy and send the sample to the lab to look under the microscope.
- Normally, a dysplastic nevus that demonstrates no changes does not need to be removed.
- If demonstrates changes, remove the entire dysplastic nevus by excisional biopsy and send the sample to the lab to look under the microscope.
- Regular self evaluation of the skin of whole body and see a doctor when notice a change in the dysplastic nevus.
- Check for: change in color, size, shape, texture, height, see if surface becomes scaly, hard, and lumpy, itchiness, bleeding, or oozes.
- Routine skilled examination by a physician.
- Regular self evaluation of the skin of whole body and see a doctor when notice a change in the dysplastic nevus.
- Check for: change in color, size, shape, texture, height, see if surface becomes scaly, hard, and lumpy, itchiness, bleeding, or oozes.
- Routine skilled examination by a physician.
