MRF-Logo2019-Horizontal-RGB
A History of Atypical Moles
REGISTER
The information on this site is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Content within the patient forum is user-generated and has not been reviewed by medical professionals. Other sections of the Melanoma Research Foundation website include information that has been reviewed by medical professionals as appropriate. All medical decisions should be made in consultation with your doctor or other qualified medical professional.

A History of Atypical Moles

› Forums › Cutaneous Melanoma Community › A History of Atypical Moles

  • Post
    • September 6, 2018 at 1:24 am
    clbay439
    Participant

      Hi everyone. Last year I went to the dermatologist for the first time because I noticed a mole that looked on. She biopsied it and it came back moderately atypical. After she went back in to completely remove it and surrounding margins, I got a full body check and everything was fine. 6 months later I went in and had another mole checked that I thought was suspicious. Mole biopsied, moderately atypical. I went back again a month later for another suspicious mole, moderately atypical. All removed with margins. I had her look at another mole that according to the nurse, was fine. I started seeing different dermatologist 2 weeks ago because my other dermatologist was not using a dermascope. She biopsied the same mole that my other dermatologist said was fine, and I received results today that the mole is severely atypical. The time between the two biopsies on the same mole is only about 2 months. Could the pathologist have made a mistake the first time? Going from "fine" to severely atypical is a pretty big jump. Or is it possible for a mole to become severely atypical that quickly?

       

      My other question is, is it common for people to have many atypical moles (even severely atypical) and never have melanoma. I am absolutely terrified of getting it one day. I am only 25 years old. I feel this is young to have so many atypical moles already (4). However, I am fair-skinned, though not white as a ghost, and I have over 100 moles. I also tanned indoors for 2.5 years but never in the sun. Indoor tanning has been my greatest regret. I wish I educated myself on the matter. People tell me that it is great that I am being proactive but I also worry that my derm and I will not catch melanoma especially because I have a lot of odd looking moles that happen to be just normal moles so it is difficult to pick the "ugly duckling."

       

      I'm sorry I put a lot on this post! It is my first time on this forum, or any skin care forum. I'm just very nervous and this is all fairly new to me. It seems that severely atypical moles are something to worry about.

    Viewing 0 reply threads
    • Replies
        • September 6, 2018 at 1:26 am
        clbay439
        Participant

          I forgot to mention that when the nurse said the mole was "fine" she was telling me that from the results from the biopsy they took of that mole.

            • September 10, 2018 at 1:23 am
            Eugenie
            Participant

              I am in a very similar boat. 

              I too tanned indoors when Inwas younger and wish I could go back and change my stupid 22 year old decisions… although I did not know about melanoma and tanning beds at that point. 

              I had a mild atypical mole completely removed 7 years ago and all was OK. Until 6 months I had what looked like a mosquito bite biopsed (Dr said was doing biopsy to calm me) because it was nothing.. turned out moderate to severe. The day I had the excision I had her do a check and biopse 2 more that turned out mil and mild-moderate. 

              They moderate-severe has really hit me hard. I’m 35 with two small kids and feel melanoma is coming to haunt me because of my indoor tanning days. I have cried for days nonstop and now can’t stop obsessing about moles. I even decided not to have the third baby I  wanted so badly just in case this moderate-severe could have been an early melanoma. 

              My husband has also had 1 mild and 1 mild-moderate removed but he has over 100 moles all look weird to the untrained eye… he never tanned in or out… so I think you might be in the same category as him having so many moles… me in the other hand I have like max 30 moles in my body and 70% of them look like freckles so this whole atypica situation is my fault 100%.

              I am trying to stay proactive and see a derm every 3 months for now… will change to 6 when given OK. And also Like you changed to another derm since the first one didn’t use  Now I visit a melanoma specialist (not oncologist) so I can be more at ease that I’d indeed I get melanoma I have a better chance of finding it early. 

               

               

               

               

              • September 10, 2018 at 1:28 am
              Eugenie
              Participant

                So sorry for my typos I’m posting with my cel phone. Good luck to you! I

          Viewing 0 reply threads

          Tagged: 

          • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
          About the MRF Patient Forum

          The MRF Patient Forum is the oldest and largest online community of people affected by melanoma. It is designed to provide peer support and information to caregivers, patients, family and friends. There is no better place to discuss different parts of your journey with this cancer and find the friends and support resources to make that journey more bearable.

          The information on the forum is open and accessible to everyone. To add a new topic or to post a reply, you must be a registered user. Please note that you will be able to post both topics and replies anonymously even though you are logged in. All posts must abide by MRF posting policies.

          Popular Topics