This image displays pigmented skin that happens to be an abnormal mole, but a lesion that has this variation in color should be biopsied to verify it's not melanoma. This image displays a black and red atypical nevus. This image displays an atypical nevus (mole) that is larger than a pencil eraser in diameter, has an irregular border, and has a slightly lighter pink-brown color on the right side, in addition to peeling skin from a sunburn. This image displays an atypical nevus (mole) with deep and multiple colors and an irregular border.   As displayed in this image, atypical nevi (moles) usually have variation in color.  This image displays an atypical nevus (mole).
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Mole, Atypical (Atypical Nevus)  Information for adults

Picture of Mole, Atypical (Atypical Nevus): This image displays pigmented skin that happens to be an abnormal mole, but a lesion that has this variation in color should be biopsied to verify it's not melanoma. Divider line
This image displays pigmented skin that happens to be an abnormal mole, but a lesion that has this variation in color should be biopsied to verify it's not melanoma.
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Overview
Atypical moles (atypical nevi) or dysplastic moles (dysplastic nevi), are caused by collections of the color-producing (pigment-producing) cells of the skin (melanocytes) in which the cells grow in an abnormal way. Atypical moles may occur as new lesions or as a change in an existing mole. Lesions may be single or multiple. In atypical-nevus syndrome, hundreds of atypical moles may be seen. People with atypical moles may be at increased risk for developing skin cancer (melanoma), with the risk increasing with the number of atypical moles present.
Last Modified: 22 Dec 2008