Skin cancer is the most prevalent cancer in the U.S., with one in five people having skin cancer in their lifetime. One of the preventive measures that can reduce the risk of skin cancer is inspecting your body for irregular moles. Some moles (nevi) can become precancerous – these are called dysplastic nevi. At MJR Dermatology, we provide dysplastic nevus removal at our facility in Lawrenceville, GA.
Common moles occur throughout your life, and the majority are harmless skin lesions. Symmetrical, evenly-colored moles occur on almost everyone, but they should be inspected regularly to watch for any changes. Sun exposure and other factors can impact moles and result in pre-cancerous cells forming, which is the case in a dysplastic nevus. These moles may never become skin cancer, but they should be carefully monitored and may need to be removed.
Symptoms of Pre-Cancerous Moles
Dysplastic means containing abnormal cells and nevi refers to moles. If you have a dysplastic nevus, there are signs that it has changed from a common or non-cancerous mole. Some of the symptoms of pre-cancerous moles include:
- Asymmetrical – normal moles are usually round or oval
- Altered borders – the outer border may be irregular or jagged
- Color changes – most moles are uniform in color, but dysplastic nevi may be multi-colored
- Size – pre-cancerous moles are often larger in diameter (above 6mm)
- Changing – dysplastic nevi may constantly be changing and evolving
Most pre-cancerous moles will never become cancer, but it is important to identify them and have them checked by a qualified dermatologist like Dr. Reschly. If there are other risk factors, dysplastic nevus removal may be recommended to reduce the risk of skin cancer. Dr. Reschly may perform a biopsy to check the density of abnormal cells, or just remove the mole entirely. This is an outpatient procedure that can be performed at our dermatology center in the North Atlanta area.
If you have an irregular mole, it is important to have it examined by a dermatologist to determine the best treatment plan. To schedule a mole examination, contact us at MJR Dermatology. We can perform dysplastic nevus diagnosis and removal at our facility in Lawrenceville, GA.