Need help interpreting test results
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.

Need help interpreting test results

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Need help interpreting test results

  • Post
    • July 13, 2011 at 10:28 pm
    amansinne
    Participant

      Sorry to make my question so specific, but I was just sent my records, including test results, from my dermatologist and I came across the following for a mole I had byopsied a while back: "compound melanocytic nevus with architectural disorder and mild cytologic atypism of melanocytes (dysplastic nevus, mild)"

      Yikes! Can anyone tell me what this means?

      Thanks in advance for any help!

      Sorry to make my question so specific, but I was just sent my records, including test results, from my dermatologist and I came across the following for a mole I had byopsied a while back: "compound melanocytic nevus with architectural disorder and mild cytologic atypism of melanocytes (dysplastic nevus, mild)"

      Yikes! Can anyone tell me what this means?

      Thanks in advance for any help!

    Viewing 1 reply thread
    • Replies
        • July 13, 2011 at 10:41 pm
        MichaelFL
        Participant

          This is a mildy atypical mole or what is also called a mildly dysplastic nevus. They are graded as mild, moderate, or severe.

          This is not melanoma. Most atypical moles never do become melanoma.

          What is the derm saying? Mild are usually watched for change, moderate are sometimes considered for re-excision (depending on the derm) and severe are re-excised and checked for clear margins.

          Congrats for catching this so early.

          Keep up the derm visits and watch yourself for "change".

          Michael

            • July 13, 2011 at 10:50 pm
            amansinne
            Participant

              Michael, thank you so much for this reply! My father died from colon cancer a few years back and he was stage 4 by the time he got himself checked out. My whole family learned so much from that and I'm trying to do my best to stay on top of preventable disease.

              The derm isn't saying much- the reason I requested my records, he's very unresponsive- so I'll keep an eye on it and seek out another dr. if anything changes.

              Thanks again so much and have a great day!

              • July 13, 2011 at 10:50 pm
              amansinne
              Participant

                Michael, thank you so much for this reply! My father died from colon cancer a few years back and he was stage 4 by the time he got himself checked out. My whole family learned so much from that and I'm trying to do my best to stay on top of preventable disease.

                The derm isn't saying much- the reason I requested my records, he's very unresponsive- so I'll keep an eye on it and seek out another dr. if anything changes.

                Thanks again so much and have a great day!

              • July 13, 2011 at 10:41 pm
              MichaelFL
              Participant

                This is a mildy atypical mole or what is also called a mildly dysplastic nevus. They are graded as mild, moderate, or severe.

                This is not melanoma. Most atypical moles never do become melanoma.

                What is the derm saying? Mild are usually watched for change, moderate are sometimes considered for re-excision (depending on the derm) and severe are re-excised and checked for clear margins.

                Congrats for catching this so early.

                Keep up the derm visits and watch yourself for "change".

                Michael

            Viewing 1 reply thread

            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.