Spitz nevi often have features that overlap with those of melanoma, but Spitz nevi are benign and melanoma is, of course, cancerous. They are most often a pink, raised bump, but they are sometimes red, blue, or black and even non-pigmented.
Atypical moles, also known as dysplastic nevi, are unusual-looking moles that have irregular features under the microscope. Though benign, they are worth more of your attention because individuals with atypical moles are at increased risk for melanoma, a dangerous skin cancer.
Border that is irregular: The edges are often ragged, notched, or blurred in outline. The pigment may spread into the surrounding skin. Color that is uneven: Shades of black, brown, and tan may be present. Areas of white, gray, red, pink, or blue may also be seen.
Look for moles with irregular shapes, such as two very different-looking halves. B is for irregular border. Look for moles with irregular, notched or scalloped borders — characteristics of melanomas. C is for changes in color.
Melanomas might change in size, shape or colour. Or you might notice other changes such as a mole bleeding, itching or becoming crusty. Normal moles usually stay the same size, shape, and colour.
The most common type of melanoma usually appears as a flat or barely raised lesion with irregular edges and different colours. Fifty per cent of these melanomas occur in preexisting moles.
The lifetime transformation risk of an “average” dysplastic nevus into melanoma is estimated at 1 in 10 000, though risk likely varies with grade of atypia. In addition, excision is sometimes performed to eliminate risk of a recurrent nevus, a benign lesion that rarely may be difficult to distinguish from melanoma.
Multiple colors are a warning sign. While benign moles are usually a single shade of brown, a melanoma may have different shades of brown, tan or black. As it grows, the colors red, white or blue may also appear.
It is an acquired mole demonstrating a unique clinical and histopathologic appearance that sets it apart from the common nevus. These moles appear atypical clinically, often with a fried-egg appearance, and are commonly biopsied by providers due to the concern for melanoma.
Talk to your doctor about any change in the color or size of a mole or if itching, pain, bleeding or inflammation develops. Moles (nevi) are a common type of skin growth. They often appear as small, dark brown spots and are caused by clusters of pigment-forming cells (melanocytes).
Features of the nevus can be very helpful to predict the risk of growth. These features include: the size and thickness, the presence of orange pigment, fluid leakage over the surface of the nevus, presence of drusen, and location within the eye. Larger and thicker nevi are commonly referred to as a suspicious nevus.
Benign nevi are usually a single color, ranging from skin-colored to dark brown. They are typically round or oval-shaped. In addition, benign moles are symmetric, that is, when a line is drawn within them, the two halves have the same appearance. Most melanocytic nevi are the size of a pencil eraser or smaller.
Seborrheic keratoses are noncancerous skin growths that can look a lot like melanoma. About 83 million people in the United States have seborrheic keratosis.
Seborrheic keratosis doesn't turn into melanoma, but the two can be mistaken for each other. Both can be brown or black and appear anywhere on the body. There are some important differences, however: Seborrheic keratoses often appear in numbers, while melanoma is usually single.
Atypical mole (also called dysplastic nevus).
An atypical mole may look like melanoma but isn't.
The procedure that your dermatologist uses to remove the spot is called a skin biopsy. Having a skin biopsy is essential. It's the only way to know whether you have skin cancer. There's no other way to know for sure.
They will ask you questions about your mole or abnormal area of skin, such as how long you have had it and what changes you have noticed. They will look closely at the abnormal area, and will check the rest of your skin for any changes. They usually use a dermatoscope to do this.
Dysplastic Nevi (Atypical Moles)
Atypical moles may be larger (one-quarter inch across or larger) and more irregular in shape, with notched or fading borders. They may be flat or raised or the surface smooth or rough. They are typically of mixed color, including pink, red, tan, and brown.
Dysplastic Nevi Risk Factors and Complications
However, because they can be risk markers for or turn into melanoma, it's crucial to be aware of other melanoma risk factors. These include: Having fair skin, light hair, and/or light-colored eyes. Freckling easily.
Dysplastic nevi, which are sometimes referred to as the “ugly duckling” moles, can sometimes appear suddenly, but in many cases, it's nothing to worry about, as it's rare that these turn into skin cancer.
The most important precursor/marker for melanoma is the clinically atypical mole (CAM) or dysplastic nevus.
For melanoma, a biopsy of the suspicious skin area, called a lesion, is the only sure way for the doctor to know if it is cancer. In a biopsy, the doctor takes a small sample of tissue for testing in a laboratory.
Often melanoma has no symptoms, however, the first sign is generally a change in an existing mole or the appearance of a new spot. These changes can include: colour - a mole may change in colour, have different colour shades or become blotchy. size - a mole may appear to get bigger.