dysplastic nevus
Meaning of dysplastic nevus: A dysplastic nevus itself is benign, but its presence, particularly in larger numbers, is linked to an increased likelihood of developing melanoma.
Definition of dysplastic nevus
A dysplastic nevus is a mole that appears abnormal, showing features such as an irregular or poorly defined border, uneven coloring ranging from pink to dark brown, and a size larger than a typical common mole. These abnormal features are visible both to the naked eye and, more definitively, when a tissue sample is examined under a microscope.
A dysplastic nevus itself is a benign growth, not cancer, but having one or more dysplastic nevi is associated with a higher than average likelihood of developing melanoma, a serious form of skin cancer, either within the dysplastic nevus itself or elsewhere on the skin.
Because of this association, a dysplastic nevus is often monitored for changes over time, such as changes in size, shape, or color, and a nevus showing more pronounced or changing atypical features may be removed and examined further to rule out melanoma.
Also known as
Used in a sentence
A dysplastic nevus on the patient's back was monitored with periodic skin examinations.
Good to know
A dysplastic nevus is benign in itself, but having multiple dysplastic nevi raises overall melanoma risk across the skin generally, not only within the specific moles identified as dysplastic.
Word origin
Where “dysplastic nevus” comes from
Formed from Greek dys-, meaning abnormal or difficult, and plasis, meaning a forming, combined with Latin naevus, meaning a birthmark or mole.