Atypia

Atypia is a clinical term for abnormality in a cell. The term is medical jargon for an atypical cell. It may or may not be a precancerous indication associated with later malignancy, but the level of appropriate concern is highly dependent on the context with which it is diagnosed.

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Atypia can be caused by an infection or irritation if diagnosed in a Pap smear, for example. In the uterus it is more likely to be precancerous.

The term atypia is also used dermatoligically and can be a precursor to melanoma.

A dermatological pathology report may show normal (junctional, compound, or intradermal) nevi, various levels of atypia (slight, moderate, severe), or melanoma. Atypia in this context is a precursor to melanoma, but is not yet melanoma.

If a mole shows slight or moderate atypia and margins are clear, no further treatment is typically needed. It would be wise to re-examine if pigmentation recurs after excision. If a mole shows slight or moderate atypia and margins are not clear, it is typical to re-excise or re-shave to get around the lesion.

If a mole shows marked or severe atypia or any degree of pathologist's concern for melanoma, it would be wise to seek professionals for further evaluation.