Can atypical mole cause melanoma?

An atypical mole, also called a dysplastic naevus, may have an uneven shape, mixed colour, or a less regular border than an ordinary mole. These features do not prove that the mole is cancerous. Melanoma can arise in a pre-existing mole or appear as a new spot, and visual appearance alone cannot settle the diagnosis. A clinician may compare the mole with older photographs, examine it with dermoscopy, or recommend removal for laboratory examination when appropriate.

Check your skin in good light and note changes in size, shape, colour, border, sensation, or surface. Take clear comparison photographs if your clinician suggests monitoring. Arrange a review for a mole that stands out from your others or develops persistent bleeding, crusting, itching, or tenderness. Use sun-protective clothing and shade, and avoid deliberate tanning. Do not try to remove a mole at home because this can delay diagnosis and injure the skin.

Make a timely dermatology appointment if an atypical mole is changing or if a new irregular mark appears. Seek prompt assessment for spontaneous bleeding, a non-healing surface, rapid growth, or a colour pattern that is becoming more varied. Urgency is guided by the lesion's features and change, not by the label atypical alone.

Ask whether the mole needs dermoscopic review, photography or removal, how often your skin should be checked, and which changes should trigger an earlier appointment.