Melanoma (Cutaneous) : I visit a dermatologist every 4 months. Lately, she's biopsied 4 pre-melanomas on me. What is a definition of a pre-melanoma? Should I be worried?

I visit a dermatologist every 4 months. Lately, she's biopsied 4 pre-melanomas on me. What is a definition of a pre-melanoma? Should I be worried?

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Topic Tags:

Biopsy, Melanoma Risk Factors, Pre-melanomas, Dermatologist, Melanoma Risk, Melanoma

Topic Tags:

Biopsy X Melanoma Risk Factors X Pre-melanomas X Dermatologist X Melanoma Risk X Melanoma X

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Diseases:

Melanoma (Cutaneous)

Diseases:

Melanoma (Cutaneous)

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Expert Answers

RobertWascherMD (Physician - Surgery - Surgical Oncology (Verified) ) - 02 / 29 / 2012

Pre-melanoma (http://www.cancercenter.com/melanoma/melanoma-information.cfm), also often referred to as “atypical nevus,” or “dysplastic nevus,” refers to moles (nevi) that do not have uniform pigmentation or shape or borders, but which, at the same time, have not yet progressed into actual melanoma when viewed under the microscope. While there is no standard clinical definition of pre-melanoma, dermatologists and surgeons often informally refer to these types of pigmented skin lesions as “FLMs,” or “funny looking moles.” We know that these atypical moles are at increased risk of progressing to melanoma if they are not removed. Also, some patients may have multiple atypical nevi as part of the Familial Atypical Mole and Melanoma (FAMM) syndrome. Patients with FAMM syndrome may have dozens, or even hundreds, of atypical nevi, and are at significantly increased risk of developing melanoma.

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