Page:

This article will help you recognize dysplastic nevi/ atypical moles and identify melanoma at its earliest, most curable stage.

NORMAL MOLES

The average young adult has about 10 to 20 such spots or growths. Generally, normal moles (melanocytic nevi) have the following characteristics:

	Normal, symmetrical mole. If you draw a line through the middle, the two sides will match.
	Normal mole—symmetry, even border, small, one shade of brown.

SHAPE: symmetrical, round or oval

BORDER: regular, sharp and well-defined

COLOR: uniform, usually tan, brown, or skin color

DIAMETER: usually 6 mm (1/4 inch) or smaller

LOCATION: often concentrated on sun-exposed areas of the face, trunk, arms and legs

ONSET: most often during early childhood through ages 35–40

UNIFORMITY: normal moles resemble one another

DYSPLASTIC NEVI

These generally large, “atypical” moles are one of the most important risk factors for melanoma. Clinically, these moles can look like melanomas. They usually have the following characteristics:

	Atypical melanocytic nevus (Clark Nevus)—asymmetry, border irregularity, color variegation, diameter > 6 mm.
	Multi-colored nevus has a wreath-shaped appearance, a common pattern.

SHAPE: often asymmetrical: A line drawn through the middle would not create matching halves.

BORDER: irregular and/or hazy—the mole gradually fades into the surrounding skin.

COLOR: variation and irregularity with subtle, haphazard areas of tan, brown, dark brown, red, blue or black.

DIAMETER: generally larger than 6 mm (1/4 inch), the size of a pencil eraser, but may be smaller.

LOCATION: most commonly on the back, chest, abdomen and extremities; may also occur on normally unexposed areas such as the buttocks, groin or female breasts, as well as on the scalp.

	Dysplastic nevus on lower back. Close-up demonstrates asymmetry, color variegation and border irregularity.
	Dysplastic nevus on right upper back. Close-up shows ill-defined borders, asymmetry and color variegation.

GROWTH: Enlargement of a previously stable mole or appearance of a new mole after ages 35–40 should raise suspicion.

SURFACE: Central portion often is raised, whereas the peripheral portion is usually flat, sometimes with tiny “pebbly” elevations.

APPEARANCE: greatly varied; dysplastic nevi often look different from one another.

NUMBER: From a few to well over 100 dysplastic nevi may be present.

Having numerous moles, whether atypical or normal, is a risk factor for melanoma. Don’t wait for more serious warning signs of melanoma to appear, such as:

• ITCHING
• PAIN
• ELEVATION
• BLEEDING
• CRUSTING
• SWELLING
• OOZING
• ULCERATION
• BLUISH-BLACK COLOR

If any of these warning signs appear on your skin or that of a family member, do not delay: Consult a dermatologist or other physician with experience in skin disorders. Any new mole or pigmented spot—or any change in size, shape, color or symptoms in an existing mole or spot— may be the first sign of a skin cancer.

Dysplastic Nevus—asymmetry, border irregularity, multiple shades of brown.
Dysplastic nevus (above ear)—asymmetry, illdefined border, color variegation, size 3/4 inch.

Next: If Moles Become Melanoma - Images

Page: