For information about Coronavirus (COVID-19), including screening resources and facility updates, click here.
11109 Parkview Plaza Drive
Entrance 1
Fort Wayne, IN 46845
(260) 266-1000
11050 Parkview Circle
Entrance 12
11108 Parkview Circle
Entrance 10
(260) 266-2000
Parkview Regional Medical Center Campus
11130 Parkview Circle Drive, Entrance 7
11115 Parkview Plaza Drive
(260) 672-6100
2200 Randallia Drive
Fort Wayne, IN 46805
(260) 373-4000
1720 Beacon Street
(260) 373-7500
1316 E. 7th Street
Auburn, IN 46706
(260) 925-4600
2001 Stults Road
Huntington, IN 46750
(260) 355-3000
207 North Townline Road
LaGrange, IN 46761
(260) 463-9000
401 Sawyer Road
Kendallville, IN 46755
(260) 347-8700
10 John Kissinger Drive
Wabash, IN 46992
(260) 563-3131
1260 East State Road 205
Columbia City, IN 46725
(260) 248-9000
1355 Mariners Drive
Warsaw, IN 46582
(574) 372-0070
10622 Parkview Plaza Drive
(260) 266-7701
« View all Cancer Types
Dysplastic nevi, known as atypical moles, are growths on the skin. Atypical moles are skin cells (melanocytes) that grow in a cluster instead of being spread throughout the skin. Moles, including atypical moles, appear in childhood either alone or in groups. Atypical moles look different than normal moles. While most atypical moles don’t become cancerous, it’s important to know the difference between an atypical mole and skin cancer (melanoma).
Atypical moles may look different from regular moles in these ways:
Having atypical moles can be genetically passed down from parent to child or caused by sun exposure.
Moles are usually diagnosed by your doctor or a dermatologist (skin specialist) with the naked eye or a dermatoscopy (microscopic lens to see the skin closely).
To spot the differences between a normal atypical mole and skin cancer use the ABCDE method. The mole might be cancerous if it’s:
If you find a new atypical mole or see a change in an existing atypical mole, tell your doctor or dermatologist.
Atypical moles that are non-cancerous may simply be watched for changes. If your doctor or dermatologist suspects it could be cancerous, they may take a biopsy (removing a tiny piece of tissue for examination). If it’s cancerous, it’ll be surgically removed. Further treatment would depend on a variety of factors.
Skin Care Team
Here at Parkview, you’ll be cared for by a dedicated team of skin cancer specialists and sub-specialists, not a general oncologist who treats all types of cancer.
Learn more about our skin care team.
Research & Clinical Trials
Parkview Research Center, in collaboration with Parkview Cancer Institute, provides innovative clinical research dedicated to advancing cancer care.
View current research & clinical trials.