What is an atypical melanocyte?
Atypical melanocytic lesions, which are also called atypical moles or atypical melanocytic hyperlasias, are pigmented moles that contain abnormal cells. These moles are usually benign. However, in some cases, atypical melanocytic lesions can become melanomas.
What is atypical melanocytic hyperplasia?
Atypical junctional melanocytic hyperplasia (AJMH) is a poorly defined clinical entity. For most dermatologists, it represents a melanocytic proliferation that insufficient for a definitive diagnosis of melanoma in situ.
What is atypical Intraepidermal melanocytic proliferation?
Atypical intraepidermal melanocytic proliferation (AIMP) is a descriptive histopathologic diagnosis; the diagnosis at the authors’ institution encompasses both likely benign entities (atypical lentigines, lentigines with hyperplasia, and evolving/early junctional dysplastic nevi) and atypical melanocytic lesions that …
What is atypical nevus syndrome?
Atypical moles, also known as dysplastic nevi, are unusual-looking moles that have irregular features under the microscope. Though benign, they are worth more of your attention because individuals with atypical moles are at increased risk for melanoma, a dangerous skin cancer.
Is an atypical mole precancerous?
Are Atypical Moles Cancerous? As mentioned earlier, an atypical mole can turn into a precancerous mole, specifically melanoma. However, research indicates that most atypical moles remain stable over time. People with more than 40 moles or more than five dysplastic nevi have a greater risk of developing skin cancer.
What is the difference between atypical and dysplastic?
An atypical mole, also sometimes called a dysplastic nevus, is a benign but unusual-looking mole that can look a lot like a melanoma. It’s important to be aware of these moles, because they can turn into melanomas. Atypical moles carry some of the same mutations found in melanomas, but significantly fewer.
What does borderline melanoma mean?
Background: The borderline melanocytic tumor (BMT) is a morphologically and biologically indeterminate melanocytic proliferation manifesting worrisome architectural features and cytologic atypia exceeding that encountered in melanocytic nevi yet insufficient to warrant designation as melanoma.
What is atypia?
(ay-TIH-pee-uh) State of being not typical or normal. In medicine, atypia is an abnormality in cells in tissue.
What is borderline melanoma?
Do atypical nevi grow?
Most people with atypical moles also have more common moles than usual. Atypical moles are very similar to melanoma: both are asymmetrical, multicolored, have an irregular border, and can grow over time.
Should an atypical mole be removed?
These moles are not cancerous, and need not be removed if they are not changing. Instead, atypical moles can be a sign of an increased risk for melanoma skin cancer. Therefore, people with atypical moles are recommended to have regular skin checks with a doctor.