Growing dysplastic nevus

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Growing dysplastic nevus

  • Post
    • May 11, 2015 at 1:50 am
    tgeorge1
    Participant

      Does a visibly growing/evolving dysplastic nevus (noticeable but not significant, radial growth – not raised, not bleeding or crusty just expanding in size ever so slightly) always mean it's likely turned to a melanoma?  I have a biopsy scheduled for this week and am very nervous. Do more than not that are changing confirm to be melanoma?

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    • Replies
        • May 11, 2015 at 2:11 am
        Janner
        Participant

          A changing mole does not have to be melanoma.  I've had several removed that were still dysplastic.  It's just not good to ignore those, because they carry a higher risk.  Good luck!

            • May 11, 2015 at 2:13 am
            tgeorge1
            Participant

              Thank you! So the ones you had removed that came back still dysplastic has been growing?  How much growth before you noticed if you don't mind me asking?

              • May 11, 2015 at 2:13 am
              tgeorge1
              Participant

                Thank you! So the ones you had removed that came back still dysplastic has been growing?  How much growth before you noticed if you don't mind me asking?

                • May 11, 2015 at 2:13 am
                tgeorge1
                Participant

                  Thank you! So the ones you had removed that came back still dysplastic has been growing?  How much growth before you noticed if you don't mind me asking?

                • May 11, 2015 at 2:11 am
                Janner
                Participant

                  A changing mole does not have to be melanoma.  I've had several removed that were still dysplastic.  It's just not good to ignore those, because they carry a higher risk.  Good luck!

                  • May 11, 2015 at 2:11 am
                  Janner
                  Participant

                    A changing mole does not have to be melanoma.  I've had several removed that were still dysplastic.  It's just not good to ignore those, because they carry a higher risk.  Good luck!

                    • May 11, 2015 at 3:03 am
                    ldub
                    Participant

                      I had a changing mole on my shoulder that was slowly getting bigger (but was still pretty small) and was two colors but not raised, crusty or bleeding. I had watched it change for the better part of 6 months. I was really scared to find out what it was and was so relieved when it was moderately atypical and not something worse.  Odds are on your side and I wish you luck with your biopsy.

                        • May 11, 2015 at 11:53 am
                        tgeorge1
                        Participant

                          This makes me feel much better, thanks for taking the time to respond.  This particular mole was already large, close to 10mm but it's been that large since I've been a child. Over the last couple of months it's started to grow outward from the top end of it.  The new pigment area blanches too so I'm not sure what that means.  The biopsy can't come soon enough.

                          • May 11, 2015 at 11:53 am
                          tgeorge1
                          Participant

                            This makes me feel much better, thanks for taking the time to respond.  This particular mole was already large, close to 10mm but it's been that large since I've been a child. Over the last couple of months it's started to grow outward from the top end of it.  The new pigment area blanches too so I'm not sure what that means.  The biopsy can't come soon enough.

                            • May 11, 2015 at 1:06 pm
                            Janner
                            Participant

                              Blanching isn't really a sign of melanoma.  Maybe you've developed a hemangioma next to the mole.  Hemangiomas blanch because they are blood vessels closer to the surface of the skin than is typical.  Melanocytes don't blanch.  

                              • May 11, 2015 at 1:06 pm
                              Janner
                              Participant

                                Blanching isn't really a sign of melanoma.  Maybe you've developed a hemangioma next to the mole.  Hemangiomas blanch because they are blood vessels closer to the surface of the skin than is typical.  Melanocytes don't blanch.  

                                • May 11, 2015 at 3:32 pm
                                tgeorge1
                                Participant

                                  That's what I have read before as well. I guess the concerning part is that I had a Board certified derm look at it with a dermascope over the weekend that I happened to come upon at a free spot screening. She commented that she saw "a lot of blood vessels" and recommended I have it biopsied which led to me scheduling one with my regular derm for this week.  I go for skin checks every 6 months so hopefully if it were to be something, it will be caught very early on. Who knows, maybe it will end up just being a hemangioma although I would have thought this derm would have mentioned as much which she didn't.

                                  Anyway, I know I won't have any reassurance until I get the biopsy and then it's results but the responses here have been helpful! 

                                   

                                   

                                  • May 11, 2015 at 3:32 pm
                                  tgeorge1
                                  Participant

                                    That's what I have read before as well. I guess the concerning part is that I had a Board certified derm look at it with a dermascope over the weekend that I happened to come upon at a free spot screening. She commented that she saw "a lot of blood vessels" and recommended I have it biopsied which led to me scheduling one with my regular derm for this week.  I go for skin checks every 6 months so hopefully if it were to be something, it will be caught very early on. Who knows, maybe it will end up just being a hemangioma although I would have thought this derm would have mentioned as much which she didn't.

                                    Anyway, I know I won't have any reassurance until I get the biopsy and then it's results but the responses here have been helpful! 

                                     

                                     

                                    • May 11, 2015 at 3:32 pm
                                    tgeorge1
                                    Participant

                                      That's what I have read before as well. I guess the concerning part is that I had a Board certified derm look at it with a dermascope over the weekend that I happened to come upon at a free spot screening. She commented that she saw "a lot of blood vessels" and recommended I have it biopsied which led to me scheduling one with my regular derm for this week.  I go for skin checks every 6 months so hopefully if it were to be something, it will be caught very early on. Who knows, maybe it will end up just being a hemangioma although I would have thought this derm would have mentioned as much which she didn't.

                                      Anyway, I know I won't have any reassurance until I get the biopsy and then it's results but the responses here have been helpful! 

                                       

                                       

                                      • May 11, 2015 at 1:06 pm
                                      Janner
                                      Participant

                                        Blanching isn't really a sign of melanoma.  Maybe you've developed a hemangioma next to the mole.  Hemangiomas blanch because they are blood vessels closer to the surface of the skin than is typical.  Melanocytes don't blanch.  

                                        • May 11, 2015 at 11:53 am
                                        tgeorge1
                                        Participant

                                          This makes me feel much better, thanks for taking the time to respond.  This particular mole was already large, close to 10mm but it's been that large since I've been a child. Over the last couple of months it's started to grow outward from the top end of it.  The new pigment area blanches too so I'm not sure what that means.  The biopsy can't come soon enough.

                                        • May 11, 2015 at 3:03 am
                                        ldub
                                        Participant

                                          I had a changing mole on my shoulder that was slowly getting bigger (but was still pretty small) and was two colors but not raised, crusty or bleeding. I had watched it change for the better part of 6 months. I was really scared to find out what it was and was so relieved when it was moderately atypical and not something worse.  Odds are on your side and I wish you luck with your biopsy.

                                          • May 11, 2015 at 3:03 am
                                          ldub
                                          Participant

                                            I had a changing mole on my shoulder that was slowly getting bigger (but was still pretty small) and was two colors but not raised, crusty or bleeding. I had watched it change for the better part of 6 months. I was really scared to find out what it was and was so relieved when it was moderately atypical and not something worse.  Odds are on your side and I wish you luck with your biopsy.

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