
What Do My Biopsy Reports Indicate?

I received a message from their office with the biopsy results, which showed that one came back as mild dysplasia and the other two as mild/moderate dysplasia (as a matter of fact, I had two similar lesions removed in the same fashion last year, they looked very similar, but the biopsies came back as normal nevi).
My doctors office indicated that no further treatment is needed. Is it a relatively common thing to have a few mild or mild/moderate dysplastic moles, and do you agree with my doctor that no further treatment is needed (I understand that oftentimes doctors only go back in and excise more if they are severely dysplastic)? I don't know whether the biopsy report showed clear margins or not.
Obviously I will continue to go for yearly skin screenings and watch those areas myself, but do I have to be overly obsessed with those areas in terms of pigmentation returning? Do you feel that I have anything to worry about and do I have a much greater risk for melanoma (I never used tanning beds, use sunscreen, and only tanned outdoors for a few years in my 20's)?
I've been suffering from health anxiety lately, and hearing that I these moles were dysplastic made me quite worried. Thank you so very much for your help and and reassurances which you can provide!!
Mild to moderate dysplasia in moles is common findings
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome and thanks for posting your query to the forum.
I can understand your concern for the moles removed.
Let me first reassure you that your mild to moderate dysplasia in moles is common findings and not directly related to melanoma.
To tell you scientifically and medically regarding moles- We have with us the cells known as melanocytes in the skin which gives color to the skin. At some places these are naturally and genetically more in number. At these places these proliferates inside the skin and forms the moles. It may appear any time after birth and is more common in people with white skin.
Generally these are not having any symptom and are seen as cosmetic problem only but some times these can be seen with caution. There are certain specific feature which should be known to you :
1. If you feel any itching or burning or pain in any mole.
2. Any kind irregular borders in your mole.
3. Any variegated (different) colors you observed in your mole.
4. A size more than pencil eraser or 6mm size.
In your case no any risk factor were present and were present for more than 30 years. This clearly indicates a simple mole only. I agree with your doctor’s opinion and therefore reassure you again that you should not worry for the same. I suggest you to just keep a watch and a proper screening of the areas.
I hope this information will help you.
"Wish you good health"
Regards,
Dr Sanjay Kumar Kanodia
MD (Dermatology)


As I indicated, I'm currently suffering from health anxiety and giggling various health conditions has made it worse:(
I got nervous when I read about that FAMMM genetic syndrome for multiple atypical moles and melanoma. Again, I have had a total of about ten larger sized moles (but no bigger than a pencil eraser). Three were removed and were mildly dysplastic, two were removed and normal on biopsy, and the other five were removed with no biopsies seventeen years ago. The other pigmentation I have is mainly sun spots and smaller freckles,etc. I'm attaching two images, one of my back where you may see some hypopigmented areas where lesions were removed years ago, and the red spots are where my dermatologist had just treated a few areas with cryosurgery. The picture of my arm just shows the other typical pigmentation I have in other areas.
Do you feel there is any need for me to worry about FAMMM? Unfortunately I read about it and it made me nervous as it almost guarantees the development of melanoma. No one in my family was ever diadnosed with melanoma; my dad had strange pigmentation on his back which I always worried could be melanoma, but he had them for over twenty years and died from a cardiac arrest, so I'm thinking perhaps they were seborrheic keratosis...
Thank you again so very much for your time and kindness Doctor!!
Not related to any syndrome. Don't worry
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome back and thanks for your further follow up.
I have analysed the pictures and appear to be quite normal.
Based on the complete family history as well as your medical history I reassure you that there appears to be nothing related to any syndrome.
I suggest you to stop searching for any of the content on internet as could cause more apprehension as well as misleading information.
Just relax and don't worry.
wish you good health.
with regards
Dr Sanjay Kanodia


You are absolutely right in your suggestion to stop searching these things on the internet -- googling these medical issues and conditions is a very dangerous thing and sends me into a tailspin every single time! I'm currently going through peri- menopause and my hormonal imbalances have sent my anxiety soaring (it's primarily health anxiety at this point -- I've started seeing a therapist and I'm switching up my anti-anxiety medications). For whatever reason, it seems to be focused on my skin, even though I am hyper-vigilant with visiting my dermatologist regularly for screenings and anything I find that is out of the ordinary.
Again, I cannot begin to thank you enough for your kindness Dr. Sanjay! You are without a doubt a truly special and compassionate physician; please know that you make a tremendous difference in people's lives, most certainly in your office practice, but also in this forum!!
Thank you again :) XXXXXXX XXXXXXX
All best wishes for your healthy life
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Welcome back and thanks for your further follow up.
I am really thankful to you that you are totally relaxed and out of your anxiety states. A big hug to you for overcoming all your fears!!!
Whenever you feel any such panicky states then just talk to yourself and give positive feedbacks to yourself. Don't try to search anything on internet. Giving positive feedback to own self gives best relaxation.
I am always besides you for any dermatological help you require.
my all best wishes for your healthy life.
with regards
Dr Sanjay Kanodia

Answered by

Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
