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irregular mole biopsy

Posted by blc1951 @blc1951, May 20 4:02pm

I recently had a shave biopsy of a small mole suspicious for melanoma. The office called yesterday and said it came back as an irregular mole and that I should observe it for any changes. The dermatologist will continue to check it at every skin check, which I have every 3 months since I have had melanoma 6 times in the past. What does "irregular mole" mean?

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tillymack | @tillymack | May 20 6:06pm

Would you feel more comfortable just having it removed?

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Mentor
Susan, Volunteer Mentor | @grammato3 | May 20 6:26pm

@blc1951: after 6 melanomas it’s understandable you’d have questions. You certainly ask to get a copy of the pathology report and ask to discuss it with your doctor.

Very frequently these types of moles are characterized in pathology reports as atypical or dyplastic, meaning they may be larger or irregularly shaped than what a more”typical” mole would appear but they’re benign. As they potentially carry a risk of developing into something concerning for skin cancer (change in size, shape,color or become raised) this is what your provider wants to monitor for.

Would it help to get a copy of the pathology report?

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gently | @gently | May 21 10:34am

blc1951, you might want to have the mole removed by an experienced dermatologist. With your history of melanoma, I'm surprised that you weren't offered this resolution. Then pathology can give you a more thorough definition of the mole. I hope they say that you didn't need to have it removed.

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