[contentuser]

Dysplastic Nevus

Overview
Dysplastic nevus, also referred to as atypical nevus or Clark's nevus, is an acquired mole that may appear as solitary or multiple lesions. They are significant in that someone with a dysplastic nevus is considered to have an increased lifetime risk for melanoma. Dysplastic nevi are seen in about 4% of the Caucasian population in the United States. Some families have large numbers of dysplastic nevi as well as histories of melanoma. These people must be observed clo...Read the full article

[dcnixon]

I had a small mole on the back of my leg (calf) since I was a teenager. I am now 40 and for the past few years the mole became larger and larger, with different colors as it spread out on different sides. It was itchy at times and I finally went to the dermatologist a couple of weeks ago. He took a sample (1/4") and send it to the lab, called me back and said it was dysplastic nevus and it needs to be removed. When I went in for the surgery he gave me the option of removing more tissue with the mole just in case it is malignant or something (we won't know until next week when the lab results come in for the whole mole, not just a sample, he said) or remove less and do it again later if necessary. I, of course went with the less the better for now and worry about later, later. But, I still end up with a dozen stitches and a cut accross the back of my calf and a huge dent. Was this necessary? I will have a huge scar on my leg forever and if it turns out it was just a mole, I would have prefered the mole over the scar......

Is this normal treatment?