People with dysplastic nevi and a family history of dysplastic nevi and melanoma tend to develop the cancer at an earlier age than melanoma patients who don’t have such nevi. Individuals who have dysplastic nevi but no family history of dysplastic nevi and melanoma may also develop melanoma at a relatively early age, but less often.

Fortunately, melanoma can be one of the easiest cancers to find, and one of the easiest to cure if found and removed early. If allowed to progress to the point where it spreads to other sites (metastasizes), the prognosis (forecast) is very poor. More than 8,000 melanoma deaths now occur per year.

At times it is difficult to distinguish between dysplastic nevi and early melanomas. (Sometimes, melanomas will begin within a dysplastic nevus.) To establish the difference, a doctor will remove the entire spot or a portion of it for examination in the pathology laboratory. Some physicians recommend examining the mole with a dermoscope, which magnifies and allows visualization of internal structures and colors not seen by the naked eye.

Melanoma in a dysplastic nevus—asymmetry, border irregularity, color variegation, 1/3 inch.
Melanoma arising in a solitary dysplastic nevus—black, brown, and pink color variegation, size 1/2 inch.

REMEMBER, ANY MOLE (PIGMENTED SPOT OR GROWTH) THAT UNDERGOES A SIGNIFICANT CHANGE IN SIZE, SHAPE, OR COLOR—OR THAT CAUSES SYMPTOMS OF ITCHING OR BLEEDING— SHOULD BE SUSPECTED OF BEING A MELANOMA.

Next: Dysplastic Nevi Prevention Guidelines