What Is Dysplastic Nevus Syndrome?
Dysplastic nevus syndrome refers to a cutaneous condition characterized by the presence of one or more atypical moles. An atypical mole is one which is larger than usual or abnormal in some other way. Also known as familial dysplastic nevi, this syndrome tends to run in some families where it is not uncommon to find that two or more family members display dysplastic nevi. Individuals with dysplastic nevus syndrome are believed to have an increased risk of developing melanoma. Melanoma is a malignant tumor that can appear anywhere on the body and is considered the most serious of all skin cancers. A dysplastic nevus or atypical mole often grows as the result of exposure to sunlight and may become malignant. Individuals with a mole do not necessarily have skin cancer, but are at increased risk of developing skin cancer, particularly if the mole is atypical.
