Pathology report – worried!!
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Pathology report – worried!!

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Pathology report – worried!!

  • Post
    • November 20, 2012 at 10:44 pm
    jukst9
    Participant

      Hi –

      I had a deep shave biopsy node on a mole appx 4mm wide and 2mm in length.  The report has me terrified, as do the doctors, as they feel a dermopath should re-read the slides based on the info provided, so that is scaring me.  Here is the original result:

       

      Clarks dysplastic nevuse, compund type, inflamed.

      Unusual with features of partial regression.

      Margins negative for lesion.

      In addition to the area of partial regression, the unusual feature is a reare melanocyte above the dermo-epidermal junction.

      Hi –

      I had a deep shave biopsy node on a mole appx 4mm wide and 2mm in length.  The report has me terrified, as do the doctors, as they feel a dermopath should re-read the slides based on the info provided, so that is scaring me.  Here is the original result:

       

      Clarks dysplastic nevuse, compund type, inflamed.

      Unusual with features of partial regression.

      Margins negative for lesion.

      In addition to the area of partial regression, the unusual feature is a reare melanocyte above the dermo-epidermal junction.

      Because of these unusual features complete but conservative re-excision is suggested as clinically indicated.

       

      Does this mean I have melanoma?  The surg-derm seemed concerned that there was no detailed info in the report and wants to have a dermpath re-read.  Please help!!

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    • Replies
        • November 20, 2012 at 10:52 pm
        Janner
        Participant

          There is nothing here that says melanoma, it just says an atypical or dysplastic nevus.  I, personally, would want ANY skin biopsy read by a dermatopathologist, not just a general pathologist, so getting your second opinion seems like a good idea.  Dermatopathologists read skin lesions every day and a general pathologist doesn't.  In some cases, an atypical lesion might require larger margins than the clean margins you already have.  In general, atypical lesions are just that – atypical.  But atypical isn't equivalent to "malignant".   Just get the second opinion to cover your bases, but I wouldn't spend much time worrying about this.  I would, however, watch the scar area for any signs of pigment regrowth.  If you have any regrowth, I'd have the area removed again.

          Best wishes,

          Janner

            • November 20, 2012 at 11:05 pm
            jukst9
            Participant

              Thanks so much for your post.  My new derms response was they were worried that the regression could indicates something more that what the report was saying, as she said they don't see that much in the atypical nevus.  So it just had me worried 🙁

              • November 20, 2012 at 11:05 pm
              jukst9
              Participant

                Thanks so much for your post.  My new derms response was they were worried that the regression could indicates something more that what the report was saying, as she said they don't see that much in the atypical nevus.  So it just had me worried 🙁

                • November 20, 2012 at 11:05 pm
                jukst9
                Participant

                  Thanks so much for your post.  My new derms response was they were worried that the regression could indicates something more that what the report was saying, as she said they don't see that much in the atypical nevus.  So it just had me worried 🙁

                • November 20, 2012 at 10:52 pm
                Janner
                Participant

                  There is nothing here that says melanoma, it just says an atypical or dysplastic nevus.  I, personally, would want ANY skin biopsy read by a dermatopathologist, not just a general pathologist, so getting your second opinion seems like a good idea.  Dermatopathologists read skin lesions every day and a general pathologist doesn't.  In some cases, an atypical lesion might require larger margins than the clean margins you already have.  In general, atypical lesions are just that – atypical.  But atypical isn't equivalent to "malignant".   Just get the second opinion to cover your bases, but I wouldn't spend much time worrying about this.  I would, however, watch the scar area for any signs of pigment regrowth.  If you have any regrowth, I'd have the area removed again.

                  Best wishes,

                  Janner

                  • November 20, 2012 at 10:52 pm
                  Janner
                  Participant

                    There is nothing here that says melanoma, it just says an atypical or dysplastic nevus.  I, personally, would want ANY skin biopsy read by a dermatopathologist, not just a general pathologist, so getting your second opinion seems like a good idea.  Dermatopathologists read skin lesions every day and a general pathologist doesn't.  In some cases, an atypical lesion might require larger margins than the clean margins you already have.  In general, atypical lesions are just that – atypical.  But atypical isn't equivalent to "malignant".   Just get the second opinion to cover your bases, but I wouldn't spend much time worrying about this.  I would, however, watch the scar area for any signs of pigment regrowth.  If you have any regrowth, I'd have the area removed again.

                    Best wishes,

                    Janner

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