# Dysplastic Naevus (Atypical Mole)

- Category: chronic
- Review status: reviewed (every claim checked against a document named on this page)
- Sources: Dysplastic Nevi - StatPearls (NCBI Bookshelf NBK482210) - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482210/ · ICPC-3 (WONCA International Classification of Primary Care, 3rd edition) class SD29.01 - condition scope only, no dose · No dose - referral pathway, no medicine given in primary care
- Verified date: 2026-08

## Verified against

- No dose - referral pathway, no medicine given in primary care

## Treatment metadata

- No drug therapy in primary care (Referral & Advice)

## Complete treatment card

```text
DYSPLASTIC NAEVUS (ATYPICAL MOLE)
Sources: Dysplastic Nevi - StatPearls (NCBI Bookshelf NBK482210) -
         https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482210/ · ICPC-3 (WONCA International Classification
         of Primary Care, 3rd edition) class SD29.01 - condition scope only, no dose · No dose -
         referral pathway, no medicine given in primary care
Review status: REVIEWED against the source listed above  (2026-08)

IS IT THIS? - reference only, to read alongside your own examination
  SIGNS - what you find (4)
    - Nevi larger than 5 mm across with multiple colors - light brown, dark brown, pink - suggest a
      dysplastic nevus
    - A darker papular center with a lighter surrounding macular ring gives a fried-egg appearance
      [papules · rash]
    - Dysplastic nevi often show ABCDE features - asymmetry, border irregularity, color variation,
      diameter over 6 mm, and evolution
    - Dysplastic nevus syndrome is diagnosed when a patient has 5 or more atypical melanocytic nevi
  TESTS (3)
    - Complete excision by shave, punch, or excisional biopsy is recommended for a clinically
      suspicious lesion
    - Incisional biopsy is not recommended for a suspected dysplastic nevus
    - Dermoscopy cannot reliably distinguish a dysplastic nevus from melanoma in situ
  IF NOT THIS - what else fits (8)
    - Blue nevus
    - Basal cell carcinoma
    - Cutaneous melanoma
    - Dermatofibroma
    - A lentigo
    - Melanocytic nevi
    - Spitz nevus
    - Seborrheic keratosis
  Source  StatPearls "Dysplastic Nevi" - disease-level clinical article
  Status  traced to the source above

1. NO DRUG THERAPY IN PRIMARY CARE (REFERRAL & ADVICE)    [1st line]
   Adult    An atypical pigmented mole with irregular borders and colour that can be difficult to
            distinguish from early melanoma and carries an increased melanoma risk, especially with
            multiple such moles; the GP refers for dermatology assessment with dermoscopy and
            possible excision rather than reassuring without review. - Refer, with advice
   Peds     Children follow the same pathway: recognise and refer. No primary-care medicine is
            implied.
   Source   No dose - referral pathway, no medicine given in primary care
   Why      An atypical pigmented mole with irregular borders and colour that can be difficult to
            distinguish from early melanoma and carries an increased melanoma risk, especially with
            multiple such moles; the GP refers for dermatology assessment with dermoscopy and
            possible excision rather than reassuring without review.
   Caution  No medicine is prescribed for this in primary care - this entry is for recognition and
            referral. Anything given is decided by the service it is referred to.
            RED FLAG - Any change in size, shape or colour, or a new symptom such as bleeding or
            itching, in an atypical mole needs urgent referral; multiple dysplastic naevi with a
            family history of melanoma need higher-risk surveillance.

Prices are indicative (dataset snapshot 2026-06); verify with the pharmacy.
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