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What Causes Asymmetrical Mole On Pubic Area?
Question: Hi, I have a asymmetrical mole in the bikini area that I am not sure how long I have had it. I am completely freaked out as you can probably tell. I can't get an earlier appt I have tried several times. Can you tell me what it is. I am 49 yr old female with no history of skin cancer. I have a appt with a dermatologist on 2/26 about this and a couple other areas.
Brief Answer:
I suggest possibility of dysplasic nevi
Detailed Answer:
Hello. Thank you for writing to us.
I have gone through your query and i have reviewed the image.
This seems like a dysplastic nevi.
Dysplastic nevi are different from normal benign nevi.
A benign nevus is usually symmetrical, round or oval, well defined, small in size and have a uniform color throughout.
Dysplastic nevi on the other hand have features like size more than 5mm, asymmetricity, ill defined or blurred borders, various shades of color and having flat as well as bumpy components.
Dysplastic nevi have a potential to turn into a melanoma therefore they should be better removed, commonly by freezing.
Regards
I suggest possibility of dysplasic nevi
Detailed Answer:
Hello. Thank you for writing to us.
I have gone through your query and i have reviewed the image.
This seems like a dysplastic nevi.
Dysplastic nevi are different from normal benign nevi.
A benign nevus is usually symmetrical, round or oval, well defined, small in size and have a uniform color throughout.
Dysplastic nevi on the other hand have features like size more than 5mm, asymmetricity, ill defined or blurred borders, various shades of color and having flat as well as bumpy components.
Dysplastic nevi have a potential to turn into a melanoma therefore they should be better removed, commonly by freezing.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you for your quick response. As mentioned I will be seeing a dermatologist on Thursday of this week so I will make sure we discuss this as well as any other concerns I have. Its scary when this also mimics melanoma in terms of symptoms, asymmetry, size and slight variation of color.
Brief Answer:
Dysplastic nevi may be hard to distinguish from early melanoma clinically
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
At times it is difficult to distinguish dysplastic nevi and early melanomas.
Your doctor may remove a part of it (Biopsy) and see under a microscope Or he may do dermoscopic examination to ascertain whether it is an early melanoma or dysplastic nevi.
Regards
Dysplastic nevi may be hard to distinguish from early melanoma clinically
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
At times it is difficult to distinguish dysplastic nevi and early melanomas.
Your doctor may remove a part of it (Biopsy) and see under a microscope Or he may do dermoscopic examination to ascertain whether it is an early melanoma or dysplastic nevi.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
What makes it difficult to distinguish? Anything you see that could be melanoma? Which would be better and with a quicker result, biopsy or dermoscopic scope? Does it being in a area that's never been exposed to the sun (just below bikini line) mean anything?
Anything else you can suggest would most appreciated.
Thanks.
Anything else you can suggest would most appreciated.
Thanks.
Brief Answer:
Features can be similar in dysplastic nevi and early melanoma
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Features can be almost similar in dysplastic nevi and early melanoma.
A dermoscopic examination can improve the diagnostic accuracy. It is non-invasive and therefore quick.
Skin biopsy is invasive and would take up to a week for its report.
Melanomas can occur in areas of skin with little or no sun-exposure.
Please don't worry. Hopefully it would be just a dysplastic nevus.
Moreover, early melanoma has an excellent prognosis as it can be simply excised with a safe margin of normal skin.
Regards
Features can be similar in dysplastic nevi and early melanoma
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Features can be almost similar in dysplastic nevi and early melanoma.
A dermoscopic examination can improve the diagnostic accuracy. It is non-invasive and therefore quick.
Skin biopsy is invasive and would take up to a week for its report.
Melanomas can occur in areas of skin with little or no sun-exposure.
Please don't worry. Hopefully it would be just a dysplastic nevus.
Moreover, early melanoma has an excellent prognosis as it can be simply excised with a safe margin of normal skin.
Regards
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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