Dysplastic Nevus with Severe Atypia
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Dysplastic Nevus with Severe Atypia

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Dysplastic Nevus with Severe Atypia

  • Post
    • May 18, 2016 at 2:42 pm
    the shadow
    Participant

      First, I'm sorry if this is not an appropriate topic for the Board, since it's not directly related to melanoma.

      I had a mole biopsied because it had a scab. The mole came back as a dysplastic nevus with severe atypia. I've had dysplastic nevi in the past (and probably have others), but never one with severe atypia.

      The biopsy was reviewed by a dermatopathologist. Is there any point in seeking a second opinion, or should I just be glad it wasn't diagnosed as melanoma and get the WLE?

      Thanks!

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    • Replies
        • May 18, 2016 at 9:13 pm
        Janner
        Participant

          You can if you want, but personally, I wouldn't.  Always better NOT to have a melanoma diagnosis in your past and you never know what another opinion will say.  Both melanoma in situ and severely atypical lesions are typically excised with the same 5mm margins.  So just make sure you get at least 5mm margins and you are treating it the same as melanoma but without that negative history.

          • May 18, 2016 at 9:13 pm
          Janner
          Participant

            You can if you want, but personally, I wouldn't.  Always better NOT to have a melanoma diagnosis in your past and you never know what another opinion will say.  Both melanoma in situ and severely atypical lesions are typically excised with the same 5mm margins.  So just make sure you get at least 5mm margins and you are treating it the same as melanoma but without that negative history.

              • May 19, 2016 at 11:18 pm
              the shadow
              Participant

                Thanks for the advice. That makes sense. Part of me questions what the harm would be in getting a second opinion, especially with the protections for preexisting conditions in Obamacare. But if it doesn't change the treatment, maybe there isn't any point to a second opinion.

                • May 20, 2016 at 12:55 pm
                Janner
                Participant

                  My warning was not for Obamacare, my warning was for life insurance.  Pre-existing condions are gone but life insurance companies have no restrictions and they don't like melanoma.

                  As long as the pathologist was a dermatopathologist, your in the right hands. Some docs over diagnose to protect themselves so you never know what you will get. As always it is your call.

                  • May 20, 2016 at 12:55 pm
                  Janner
                  Participant

                    My warning was not for Obamacare, my warning was for life insurance.  Pre-existing condions are gone but life insurance companies have no restrictions and they don't like melanoma.

                    As long as the pathologist was a dermatopathologist, your in the right hands. Some docs over diagnose to protect themselves so you never know what you will get. As always it is your call.

                    • May 20, 2016 at 12:55 pm
                    Janner
                    Participant

                      My warning was not for Obamacare, my warning was for life insurance.  Pre-existing condions are gone but life insurance companies have no restrictions and they don't like melanoma.

                      As long as the pathologist was a dermatopathologist, your in the right hands. Some docs over diagnose to protect themselves so you never know what you will get. As always it is your call.

                      • May 19, 2016 at 11:18 pm
                      the shadow
                      Participant

                        Thanks for the advice. That makes sense. Part of me questions what the harm would be in getting a second opinion, especially with the protections for preexisting conditions in Obamacare. But if it doesn't change the treatment, maybe there isn't any point to a second opinion.

                        • May 19, 2016 at 11:18 pm
                        the shadow
                        Participant

                          Thanks for the advice. That makes sense. Part of me questions what the harm would be in getting a second opinion, especially with the protections for preexisting conditions in Obamacare. But if it doesn't change the treatment, maybe there isn't any point to a second opinion.

                        • May 18, 2016 at 9:13 pm
                        Janner
                        Participant

                          You can if you want, but personally, I wouldn't.  Always better NOT to have a melanoma diagnosis in your past and you never know what another opinion will say.  Both melanoma in situ and severely atypical lesions are typically excised with the same 5mm margins.  So just make sure you get at least 5mm margins and you are treating it the same as melanoma but without that negative history.

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