Atypical moles are also called dysplastic moles, and they are very common. In fact, an estimated one out of every 10 Americans has at least one atypical mole.
Atypical moles are larger than common moles with borders that are irregular and poorly defined. Atypical moles vary in color, ranging from tan to dark brown shades on a pink background. Their irregular borders may include notches, or they may fade into surrounding skin and include a flat portion that is level with the skin.
While atypical moles are considered more likely to develop into melanoma than regular moles, not everyone who has atypical moles gets melanoma. With a higher melanoma risk involved, it is important to have any atypical moles evaluated particularly when there’s any family history of melanoma. Dr. Carroll “grades” or categorizes atypical moles based on the cellular features she observes microscopically. She visually categorizes the degree of disorganization seen within the cells that make up the mole to determine whether the atypia is mild, moderate or severe.
Each patient is different, and Dr. Carroll takes into account a variety of factors before recommending whether an atypical mole should be removed or more aggressively watched for any change. Dr Carroll utilizes Dermoscopy to help determine if a particular lesion is atypical and needs to be biopsied or excised. Dermoscopy is the examination of the skin using skin surface microscopy mainly to evaluate pigmented skin lesions. Dermoscopy allows Dr. Carroll to properly diagnosis possible melanoma.
Moles are common to most people. While most are not a medical concern, some can indicate a serious medical problem such as skin cancer.
At Carroll Dermatology Surgery and Laser Institute in West Palm Beach, we evaluate moles and determine if removal or treatment is necessary. Some patients choose to have benign, non-cancerous moles removed for appearance reasons.
Moles can appear anywhere on the body and are usually round or oval shaped. Their color is normally shades of brown or black, and their texture can be smooth, rough, flat or raised. They form when the skin pigmentation cells grow together instead of their normal spacing on the skin. In addition to a full body screening each year, we recommend you personally check your moles for any changes in color, shape, size, or texture.
Moles can be removed for a variety of reasons:
Dr. Carroll closely examines your moles to see if they need removal using one of these specialized dermatology procedures.
Your mole should not return after mole removal; however, you should contact Dr. Carroll immediately if a removed mole returns as it may be a sign of melanoma skin cancer. It is important to remember that only a trained doctor should perform mole removal. Improperly removing a mole can cause scarring, infection, or potential spread of cancer if the mole in fact is cancerous.
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