Dysplastic Naevus

Dysplastic Naevus (Dysplastic Mole)

A dysplastic naevus is a type of mole that looks quite different from the common mole.
These moles may be inherited and some people may be genetically susceptible to developing a very large number of these moles on their skin, which is then referred to as “Dysplastic Naevi Syndrome”.

A dysplastic naevus has an unusual appearance and can mimic melanomas. They may have:
Irregular shapes and indistinct borders
Varying colours ranging from pink, tan, brown to black
Flat and raised parts to the mole

Dysplastic Naevus Under Dermoscopy

Dysplastic moles may be precursors to melanomas in some cases.
This risk may be significant in those with numerous dysplastic naevi.
People with 5 or more dysplastic moles on their skin have a six times greater chance of developing Melanoma skin cancer than people without.
The more dysplastic moles a person has, the greater the risk of Melanoma development.
People with Dysplastic Naevus Syndrome have a very high lifetime risk of developing Melanoma skin cancer, especially if there is also a family history of melanoma.
However, it is very common for a person to have a small number of these dysplastic moles. As long as they are not "severe" in histological grading, they are of low risk.

Often an individual finds out he or she had a dysplastic naevus removed in the pathology report. This is usually good news as the alternative might have been a melanoma. No further treatment is required for a dysplastic mole that has been removed.
If one has multiple dysplastic naevi proven on biopsy, or the trained doctor advises that there are similar moles remaining then the person has to be extremely vigilant with sun protection, regular self skin examination and periodic skin checks with a trained doctor.
The majority of dysplastic moles will remain benign and only need removal when they become suspicious for melanoma.