NEVUS
Dysplastic nevus, also referred to as atypical nevus or Clark’s nevus, is an acquired mole that may appear as solitary or multiple lesions. They are significant in that someone with a dysplastic nevus is considered to have an increased lifetime risk for melanoma. Dysplastic nevi are seen in about 4 percent of the Caucasian population in the United States. Some families have large numbers of dysplastic nevi as well as histories of melanoma. These people must be observed closely because their lifetime risk for melanoma can be quite high.
Dysplastic Nevus Prevention Guidelines
Anyone who has an increased risk of developing melanoma must be particularly vigilant. Do any of these risk factors apply to you: light eyes, hair, and/or skin; freckles; many moles; personal or family history of melanoma or non-melanoma skin cancer; sun sensitivity; inability to tan; repeated and intermittent sunburns; a very large mole present at birth, or dysplastic nevi?
The best advice is “Know your skin.” Each family member should become aware of all moles on his/her total skin surface to minimize the risk of melanoma progressing to life-threatening stages.
Anyone, especially someone with an increased risk of developing melanoma, should:
- Examine the skin completely each month, using a good light source (to illuminate the areas being examined), a full-length mirror and a hand-held mirror. Ask a family member or friend to help in examining hard-to-see parts of the body. A hair dryer is useful when checking the scalp. Also, examine the bottom of the feet and between the toes.
- Seek prompt medical attention if any of the warning signs of melanoma described earlier are found.
- Have a head-to-toe skin examination by a physician annually or more often. If moles are changing, as they may during adolescence, they should be checked at more frequent intervals. Inform your doctor about any moles that have suspicious signs, symptoms, or changes.
SUGGESTIONS FOR PEOPLE WITH DYSPLASTIC NEVI
If your doctor suspects dysplastic nevi, one or more moles may be biopsied — removed in a minor surgical procedure for microscopic examination. It is not necessary to remove all dysplastic nevi. However, if moles show significant change or signs of melanoma, or if new moles appear after age 40, they may be considered for removal by your physician.
When the diagnosis of dysplastic nevus is confirmed microscopically, it is advisable to:
- write down a complete family history of unusual moles, melanomas or other cancers. Discuss it with your doctor.
- have regular complete skin examinations at intervals suggested by your doctor, and advise family members to do the same.
- supplement regular medical checkups with monthly self-examination of the skin.
- reduce sun exposure. Excessive exposure may stimulate formation of new moles or even cause melanomas.
- check with your doctor about having a set of full-body photographs taken, especially if family members have dysplastic nevi or melanoma and/or you have many moles. Changes can be more easily spotted in this way.
- have any unusual or changing skin growth examined promptly by your doctor.
- check with your physician to see if an eye examination is recommended, since moles and melanomas may also arise in the eyes.
- be concerned, but don’t worry excessively.
With regular self-examination, professional examination, and common sense, you greatly reduce your chances that a melanoma will grow to a threatening size before it can be detected and removed.
For further information or research see the links below:
Family physicians frequently encounter patients with dermatologic diseases, either as the primary complaint or as a “by the way.” Therefore, the ability to accurately diagnose and treat benign skin lesions is an important skill that family physicians should possess. Options for evaluating patients with benign skin tumors can be categorized according to the morphologic characteristics of each lesion: macular or slightly raised/papular (Figure 1), papular (Figure 2), or subepidermal (Figure 3).
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| Approach to Benign Skin Tumors (Subepidermal) | ||
NOTE: Selected common skin tumors included. Many other less common entities exist. |
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| FIGURE 3. Algorithm for the diagnosis of benign skin tumors (subepidermal). | ||
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Skin Deep Cosmetic Safety Database by Environmental Working Group
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Medline Plus - Health Information - A service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health
