Dysplastic Nevi Specialist Mark Mehrany MD
Skin Cancer Specialists & Mohs Surgeons located in San Jose or Modesto
More than one million people in the United States are living with melanoma, a severe type of skin cancer. Mark Mehrany, MD, offer comprehensive skin evaluations at their practice in San Jose or Modesto, which focus on identifying atypical moles, called dysplastic nevi. These moles can become malignant in the earliest stages. Dr. Mehrany also specializes in outpatient Mohs surgery to treat existing cancer.
Dysplastic Nevi
What are dysplastic nevi?
Dysplastic nevi are atypical moles that grow on the surface of your skin anywhere on your body. These moles have irregular features when viewed under a microscope, and they may develop due to a combination of your environment and genetic background.
While dysplastic nevi are generally benign skin growths, you shouldn’t ignore them. Having this type of atypical mole can increase your risk for a dangerous skin cancer, known as melanoma. Specific factors that increase your risk for atypical moles becoming cancerous include having:
• 100 moles or more
• One or more dysplastic nevi
• Moles that are 1/3 inch or larger
A family history of melanoma also increases your risk for dysplastic nevi developing into cancer.
How are dysplastic nevi diagnosed?
Dysplastic nevi can be challenging to identify, especially if you have normal moles. While Dr. Mehrany can perform a thorough skin evaluation to find atypical moles, there are things you can look for during at-home skin checks. An easy to remember method for identifying dysplastic nevi involves the alphabet, specifically ABCDE.
Asymmetry
To determine if your mole is asymmetrical, draw a line through the middle to see if both sides of the mole match.
Border
Borders of atypical moles appear uneven and may have edges that appear scalloped or notched.
Color
Cancerous moles often appear to be different colors, such as black, brown, and tan, and may change in color to red, blue, or white as they grow.
Diameter
Dysplastic nevi that are larger than a pencil eraser are often a serious warning sign that the mole is atypical or cancerous.
Evolving
Evolving describes any changes in shape, color, or elevation on your skin that occurs in a mole. This also includes new symptoms that affect the skin around the mole, such as bleeding, itching, or crusting over.
How are dysplastic nevi treated?
Initially, Dr. Mehrany creates a plan to monitor dysplastic nevi carefully. Depending on the appearance and changes in a suspicious mole, he may recommend a biopsy to confirm if the mole is benign or cancerous. If a biopsy shows cancer is present, Dr. Mehrany can perform excisional surgery to treat it.
Our Stanislaus Skin Cancer Clinic in Modesto proudly serves the Central Valley and surrounding areas including: Modesto, Turlock, Manteca, Tracy, Ripon, Stockton, Sonora, Ceres, Lodi, Lathrop, Livingston, Oakdale, Riverbank, Patterson, Merced, Los Banos, Newman, Gustine, Salida, Sunol, Mariposa, Madera, Atwater, Le Grand, La Grange, Angels Camp, Arnold and Yosemite Valley.
Our San Jose Skin Cancer & Mohs Clinic proudly serves the Bay Area and surrounding areas including: San Jose, Los Gatos, Saratoga, Campbell, Sunnyvale, Cupertino, Santa Clara, Mountain View, Palo Alto, Los Altos, Redwood City, San Mateo, San Francisco, Milpitas, Fremont, Morgan Hill, Gilroy, Hollister, Santa Cruz, Scotts Valley, Boulder Creek, Capitola, Half Moon Bay, and Monterey.