Picture of Dysplastic Nevi (Atypical Moles)

Dysplastic nevus (plural nevi) is the medical name for atypical mole. Atypical moles are benign, but they have some features similar to melanoma, including larger size, irregular borders, and variations in color. An atypical mole may turn into a melanoma, so it is important to identify and remove these moles. Individuals with greater numbers of dysplastic nevi are at increased risk of melanoma.