The "Atypical Nevus Is Removed" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Making yet another visit to my dermatologist for my bi-yearly checkup.  My visits began years ago when I noticed a few red marks on my arm and someone said, "You ought to get them checked out."  I have a family history of skin cancer with my mother having been diagnosed numerous times with melanoma, the grand-daddy of skin cancer.  She always seemed to be visiting her doctor for removal of something.  So, about 30 years ago I also began yearly visits which have now been changed to bi-yearly visits.  With a recent realization that I have the BRCA2 gene mutation, which is a precursor to skin cancer, my dermatologist is very observant of any change in my skin formations.  I guess I should tell you that when I was a child my parents, along with most of my friends' parents, never thought to put lotion on me to protect my skin from the sun.  And, when they did put something on my skin, it was baby oil which acted as a magnifier of the suns rays on my skin.  My recent visit yielded 13 spots that required the use of the dreaded liquid nitrogen to freeze pre-cancerous spots on my face and head.  But, one other spot on my back had to be removed with a scalpel so it could be tested to see if it was more serious than expected.  

Dr. Lucking numbed the spot, took a circular sample and placed a bandage on the spot.  She pulled a brochure off her shelf and told me she was treating this latest spot as an Atypical Nevus.  She said she would call in a week to tell me the results of the test.  The brochure was produced by the American Academy of Dermatology and told me exactly what an Atypical Nevus is and how it should be treated.  The word "atypical" means "not like the rest."  "Nevus" is the medical term for "mole."  Thus, a mole that doesn't look like the rest of the moles I may have on my body.  Now, the brochure says that Atypical moles are not cancerous, but some people who have these moles have a higher risk of getting melanoma, the deadliest type of skin cancer.  Atypical moles come in many shapes and sizes and is often larger than other moles.  Often they have more than one color and can be fuzzy around the edges.  A trained eye, such as what Dr. Lucking has, can pick they out immediately.  That's why you should have a dermatologist if you have a family history of skin cancer or never used protection when out in the sun.  

The Atypical Nevus has been removed.

A week later I got the call and was told to come back in another week to have more removed.  The procedure is simple and doesn't hurt at all.  A needle was used to numb the spot, which happened to be on my upper back, and a scapel was used to cut deeper to remove all traces of the mole.  A few stitches were needed to close the skin deep in my back and a few more stitches were used to close the wound on the surface.  In all she needed 11 stitches.  That was until I sat up and tore a few stitches in the process.  More stitches and finally a bandage was placed on the wound and I had to replace it every day when I showered.  I was told to place Vaseline on the wound to keep the stitches soft.  After two weeks I returned and had the stitched removed.  I had torn a few more of the stitches due to my movement while working and sleeping.  Skin cancer can kill you, so you need to be proactive with your health and have a full-body screening beginning at puberty.  Examine your own skin monthly and schedule routine appointments if you find anything.  A fellow teacher of mine died at a very young age when the mole on her back was found to be melanoma.  The sad part was that she never knew she had it until it was too late.  Take care of your skin.  It is your body's largest and fastest-growing organ.  It is the body's coat which protects you from heat and cold.  It keeps your insides in and keeps other stuff out.   And, it's an easy doctor's visit away from being kept safe.  Dr. Lucking tells me that all the time.  And, I am a believer!  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.