Dysplastic nevus syndrome is a skin condition characterized by atypical moles that can lead to skin cancer. It tends to run in families and is diagnosed by a doctor who will monitor the moles for changes over time.
Dysplastic nevus syndrome refers to a skin condition characterized by the presence of one or more atypical moles. An atypical mole is one that is larger than usual or abnormal in some other way. Also known as familial dysplastic nevi, this syndrome tends to run in certain families where it is not uncommon to find two or more family members displaying dysplastic nevi. Individuals with dysplastic nevus syndrome are thought to have a higher risk of developing melanoma.
Melanoma is a malignant tumor that can appear anywhere on the body and is considered the most serious of all skin cancers. A dysplastic nevus or atypical mole often grows on exposure to sunlight and can become malignant. Individuals with a mole don’t necessarily have skin cancer, but they are at increased risk of developing skin cancer, particularly if the mole is atypical.
In some, familial melanoma can be caused by lifestyle choices or environmental factors. It can also be caused by genetic factors. Dysplastic nevus syndrome is not cancer, but it is often a precursor to skin cancer that requires regular monitoring and testing. When moles become cancerous, they are termed as atypical familial nevus multiple melanoma syndrome or simply FAMMM syndrome.
Also known as BK nevus syndrome or atypical nevus syndrome, dysplastic nevus syndrome is usually characterized by the presence of multiple atypical nevi in which the pigment of some nevi appears to bleed into the skin. Not only are these moles generally larger than an average mole, but they also appear to be a different color, such as tan or pinkish brown. These lesions also tend to appear mostly on parts of the body that are exposed to sunlight, but they can also be present in areas that don’t get much sun exposure. While most people with dysplastic nevus syndrome have multiple atypical moles sometimes exceeding 200, some have only one.
Dysplastic nevus syndrome is diagnosed by a doctor who specializes in oncology who can usually tell by the appearance of the mole whether the syndrome is present or not. A doctor will also investigate a patient’s family history to find out if one or more relatives have been affected by melanoma. Once dysplastic nevus syndrome is diagnosed, a doctor will take a biopsy of the mole to determine if it is malignant and take photographs of it to monitor changes in the mole’s asymmetry, diameter, and color over time.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
