24 skin biopsies, 8 dysplastic nevus (moles), 3 severely dysplastic (atypical) requiring wide local excisions, 0 melanoma--Staying on top of it.
Reading a skin pathology report. In my search to find the answers to these questions I have noticed that it is VERY hard to find the answer the answers in layman's terms so I am going to take a stab at it. Disclaimer--I am not a doctor. I'm just a patient that has had 24 skin biopsies (give or take a few). I've been very confused in the past. What is the difference between benign, dysplastic/atypical, and melanoma? Benign=not cancerous/malignant Dysplastic/atypical=in between benign and cancer Melanoma=cancer Are their different kinds/stages of dysplastic nevus? Yes there are many kinds (I have no idea how many kinds but your path report should show you) and stages (for lack of any better way to describe this). This is how I see severity in my brain. Benign-you are GOOD! Mildly dysplastic (you will see the words mild atypia or mild somewhere) -ALMOST BENIGN Moderately dysplastic (look for the word moderate)- SMACK DAB IN BETWEEN benign and canc...