What does a moderate abnormal mole mean?

What does a moderate abnormal mole mean?

Moderately and severely atypical moles will often be completely removed following a biopsy, as these more extreme changes may indicate a high potential for development into melanoma. For this reason, it is best to remove the mole completely to avoid any further evolution.

Is moderate atypical mole cancer?

The risk is greatest in people who also have extremely fair skin and heavy freckling, a sign of excessive sun exposure. While atypical moles are considered to be pre-cancerous (more likely to turn into melanoma than regular moles), not everyone who has atypical moles gets melanoma.

What does moderately dysplastic mean?

Dysplastic nevi are categorized as mild, moderate, or severe. Remember, a dysplastic nevus is a mole that exists in the spectrum between a benign mole and melanoma. A mildly dysplastic nevus is closer on that spectrum to a benign mole, whereas a severely dysplastic nevus is closer to a melanoma.

Should a moderately atypical mole be removed?

About 1 in 10 people develop atypical moles during their lifetime. These moles are not cancerous, and need not be removed if they are not changing. Instead, atypical moles can be a sign of an increased risk for melanoma skin cancer.

What is pre melanoma called?

The most common type of skin precancer is called actinic keratosis (AK). AKs carry the same mutations as nonmelanoma skin cancers, especially squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs), and some experts even consider them early SCCs, but in general AKs have fewer, less developed mutations than full-fledged SCCs.

What is a common mole?

A common mole is a growth on the skin that develops when pigment cells (melanocytes) grow in clusters. Most adults have between 10 and 40 common moles.

What do you need to know about moles?

Moles 1 Overview. Moles are a common type of skin growth. 2 Symptoms. The typical mole is a brown spot. Color and texture. 3 Causes. Moles are caused when cells in the skin (melanocytes) grow in clusters or clumps. 4 Complications. Melanoma is the main complication of moles. 5 Prevention. The following measures can help limit the development…

What are the different levels of moles on the skin?

Moles are classified into different degrees. Moles can be classified based on how dysplastic they appear. They are graded by atypia from mild to moderate to severely atypical (or dysplastic). If the pathologist did not read these moles as melanoma than they are not.

What does mild atypical moles on the skin mean?

They are graded by atypia from mild to moderate to severely atypical (or dysplastic). If the pathologist did not read these moles as melanoma than they are not. What it means is that the cells have changed and left untreated they could go on to become a melanoma.