I had a mole (dysplastic nevi) removed and the results came back with atypical cells on the top layer. While I wait to meet w/ the doctor - does anyone know if atypical means precancerous? Or are they just not typical/normal?
2007-05-09 09:58:57 · 3 answers · asked by Janel K 1 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Cancer
An atypical nevus or dysplastic nevus (mole) is a benign growth that may share some of the features of a melanoma, but is NOT a melanoma or any other form of cancer. The presence of an atypical nevus, however, may increase the risk of developing a melanoma, or be a marker for it. A single atypical nevus may indicate a small risk; this risk increases with the number of atypical nevi present
The lifetime risk of a person in the United States developing melanoma is 1 in 75. A patient with one to four atypical nevi without a personal or family history of melanoma is at a slightly higher risk than the general population. The risk of developing melanoma is higher if a patient with atypical nevi has a personal or family history of melanoma. A patient who has multiple atypical and normal nevi (moles) may have Familial Atypical Nevus Syndrome, and is at an increased risk for developing a melanoma, especially if a relative had melanoma.
2007-05-09 10:17:18 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have had atypical cells in my three monthly blood test for the past 15 years. Initially they thought 'MONO' but was screened do not even have a antibody, so never been in contact. It just means not normal. So you have benign and malignant, atypical is somewhere between. Consider yourself LUCKY!
2007-05-09 18:28:44 · answer #2 · answered by gillianprowe 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yep - that's what it means - not typical
2007-05-09 17:10:19 · answer #3 · answered by dee 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋