I really need help understanding this.

[ryan24]

I recently had 3 moles removed from my back and sent to a pathologist.  My regular Dr. called and suggest that I set an appointment with a skin center (that specializes in skin cancer) immediately.  I asked my Dr. for as much info. about my condition, but never received a straight answer.  So, I then asked her for a copy of the pathology report, hoping that I'd be able to make some sense of this. Unfortunately, it just leave me more confused.  Here what it said:

Moles 1 & 2 - Melanocytes are present along the junction and within the dermis.  An aberrant architecture is observed with both stromal fibroplasia  and a lymphocytic host response.  There is atypia of the melanocytic cells characterized as marked with nuclear variability and hyperchromasia.  Though a nested pattern is present, a few single cells are also seen.  With the marked cytological atypia, this is classified as a dysplastic nevus with sever melanocytic atypia.  This is a high-grade dysplasia that borders on early evolving melanoma.  Atypical changes extend to the edges of the biopsy.  In view of the atypia, it would be prudent to ensure that the lesion is completely, but conservatively, excised.

Mole # 3 - There is a proliferation of atypical melanocytes arranged in solitary units and in nests at the dermal epidermal junction. The dermis contains infiltrates of lymphocytes and there are zones of fibroplasia.  Nests of benign appearing nevus cells are also present in the dermis.  The changes are not sufficiently developed to classify this lesion as melanoma in situ, but there is a high grade (moderately severe) atypia.  Atypical changes extend to the edge of the biopsy.  In view of the degree of atypia,it would be prudent to ensure that the lesion is completely, but conservatively, excised.

I have an apt. schedule in 3 weeks to have the moles "excised".  If anyone could help me understand the severity of this report, I'd be most thankful.

34yrs/White/Male.

Thanks,

Ryan

[JACK37]

What size are these noduals ?? how deep did they get?  Melanoma is situ is good for cure but how deep mean a whole lot.

[Pum]

Well, I'm no expert but it looks like you have caught whatever it is very very very early. Great work on that.
Sounds like one is atypical but is not a melanoma in situ but could have turned into one one day. The other is also dodgy but not enough to be a melanoma although I'm not sure at what point they call them melanoma in situ.

Either way, your prognosis is fantastic. Melanoma in situ is totally curable and it sounds like yours haven't even got to that.

Well done and good luck.