Help understanding pathology report

Forums General Melanoma Community Help understanding pathology report

  • Post
    Redbirdgirl
    Participant
      I had a couple moles removed and told I was lucky that it was pre melanoma but the doctor didn’t really explain my path report the first time and I had to have them go in deeper until the margins were clear. I was told that I would have to be vigilant and watched closely could anyone explain to me the path reports?

      A. Microscopic examination of the slides show an atypical melanocytic lesion with melanocytes in the epidermis and dermis consistent with a dysplastic junctional nevus. The margins of excision cannot be accessed with certainty.

      B. Microscopic examination of the slides show a limited specimen showing atypical proliferation of melanocytes in the dermis with junctional component highly consistent with a junctional dysplastic nevus. Recommended reexcision with negative margins

      Final Diagnosis
      A. Consistent with a dysplastic junctional nevus The margins cannot be accessed with certainty. Therefore, I recommend re excision with negative margins.

      B. dysplastic junctional nevus with positive margins Recommend re excision with negative margins

      Here is the path report from re excisions

      Sections consist of skin erosion, squamous hyperplasia, edema and mild chronic inflammation. Residual carcinoma or dysplasia is not identified in these sections. The margins are free of dysplasia/carcinoma.

      Final Diagnosis
      Residual dysplasia is not identified. Erosion, squamous hyperplasia, and mild chronic inflammation.

      Can anyone kind of explain to me what all this means in a more understanding way? I am having to see a dermatologist about more suspicious moles that are changing and suspicious on other parts of the body. The two biopsies before from the same leg.

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    • Replies
        Janner
        Participant

          There's not really a lot to understand.  These are two dysplastic or atypical nevi (moles).  They were removed without clean margins the first time which is what prompted the re-excision.  Basically, understanding the microscopic description is of little value – the key is that they are removed.  From here, you would just watch the scar areas for any pigment regrowth and report that to your derm if you see anything suspicious.  Discuss the changing moles with your derm.  You might consider having photographs taken if you have a lot of moles so you can monitor for change.  These are not melanoma and there should be nothing to worry about now regarding these lesions.  Keep watching for change and keep seeing a derm!

          Best wishes,

          Janner

          Janner
          Participant

            There's not really a lot to understand.  These are two dysplastic or atypical nevi (moles).  They were removed without clean margins the first time which is what prompted the re-excision.  Basically, understanding the microscopic description is of little value – the key is that they are removed.  From here, you would just watch the scar areas for any pigment regrowth and report that to your derm if you see anything suspicious.  Discuss the changing moles with your derm.  You might consider having photographs taken if you have a lot of moles so you can monitor for change.  These are not melanoma and there should be nothing to worry about now regarding these lesions.  Keep watching for change and keep seeing a derm!

            Best wishes,

            Janner

            Janner
            Participant

              There's not really a lot to understand.  These are two dysplastic or atypical nevi (moles).  They were removed without clean margins the first time which is what prompted the re-excision.  Basically, understanding the microscopic description is of little value – the key is that they are removed.  From here, you would just watch the scar areas for any pigment regrowth and report that to your derm if you see anything suspicious.  Discuss the changing moles with your derm.  You might consider having photographs taken if you have a lot of moles so you can monitor for change.  These are not melanoma and there should be nothing to worry about now regarding these lesions.  Keep watching for change and keep seeing a derm!

              Best wishes,

              Janner

              JC
              Participant

                my derm doesn't even re-excise these unless they are severely aytpical

                JC
                Participant

                  my derm doesn't even re-excise these unless they are severely aytpical

                  JC
                  Participant

                    my derm doesn't even re-excise these unless they are severely aytpical

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