Summary

Most moles appear on the surface during childhood and adolescence. Moles will grow as the child (or teen) grows. Some moles will darken, and others will lighten. These changes are expected and seldom a sign of melanoma, the most severe skin cancer. Here are three facts that can help you find melanoma soon and get treatment. If you see a mole or other spot that is growing, itching, bleeding, or changing in any way, at once, make an appointment to see a dermatologist. Most moles do not require treatment. A dermatologist will remove a mole that: bothersome (rubs against clothing, etc.), unattractive to a patient, and suspicious (could be skin cancer). After a mole is removed, the skin will heal. If the mole grows back, at once, make another appointment to see your dermatologist. The recurrence of a mole could be a sign of melanoma, the most severe type of skin cancer.

Moles are common. Almost every adult has a few of them. Adults who have light skin have more moles. They may have 10 to 40 moles on their skin. This is normal. Most moles appear on the surface during childhood and adolescence. Moles will grow as the child (or teen) grows. Some moles will darken, and others will lighten. These changes are expected and seldom a sign of melanoma, the most severe skin cancer. For adults, new moles and alterations to existing moles can be a sign of melanoma. Melanoma is highly treatable if diagnosed early. Here are three facts that can help you find melanoma soon and get treatment:

• A change to a mole or a new mole is often the first sign of melanoma.
• You can find melanoma early by checking your skin.
• If you see a mole or other spot that’s growing, itching, bleeding, or changing in any way, immediately make an appointment to see a dermatologist.

Signs and Symptoms of Skin Moles

People often want to know how they can tell a mole from a melanoma. Here is a general rule. A mole on your body usually has these traits. It’s One color – Often brown, but a mole can be tan, black, red, pink, blue, skin-toned, or colorless, round in shape, flat, or slightly raised and unchanged from month to month. Although moles have a distinct look, they may not look alike. Even in the same person, moles can differ in size, shape, or color. Moles can have hair. Some moles will change slowly over time, possibly even disappearing. It’s also important to know that moles can appear anywhere on the skin. They can develop on your scalp, between your fingers and toes, on the soles and palms, and even under your nails. The most severe skin cancer differs from moles in that it tends to show one or more of the following traits:

• A = Asymmetry. One half is unlike the other.
• B = Border. An irregular, scalloped, or poorly defined border.
• C = Color. It is varied from one area to another; it has tan, brown, or black; it is sometimes white, red, or blue.
• D = Diameter. When diagnosed, melanoma is usually greater than 6mm (the size of a pencil eraser), but it can be smaller.
• E = Evolving. A mole or skin lesion looks different from the rest or changes in size, shape, or color.​

Who Gets Mole, and What Are the Types of Skin Moles?

Almost every adult has a few moles. Most adults have a type of mole called a common mole, which is harmless.  There are other types of moles. Below you’ll see varieties of moles that can increase a person’s risk of getting melanoma, the most severe type of skin cancer. If you discover any of these moles on your skin, you should have a dermatologist give you skin exams. Melanoma can grow in an atypical mole. Anyone who has atypical moles, such as this patient, should watch their moles for change.

Atypical mole (dysplastic)

This type of mole can look like melanoma. It is not melanoma. But you have a higher risk of getting melanoma if you have: 4 or more atypical moles, already had melanoma and a first-degree relative (parent, brother, sister, or child) who had melanoma. Your dermatologist may call an atypical mole a dysplastic (dis-plastic) nevus. Nevus is the medical term for a mole. When your dermatologist is talking about two or more moles, you may hear the word “nevi.” Atypical moles (or nevi) are often: Larger than an eraser on the end of a pencil, have an odd shape (not round), and show more than one color — mixes of tan, brown, red, and pink. Atypical moles can appear anywhere on the body. They often appear on the trunk. You can also get them on your scalp, head, or neck. Atypical moles rarely appear on the face. Some people who have many atypical moles have a medical condition called familial atypical multiple mole melanoma (FAMMM) syndrome. People with FAMMM syndrome have many moles — more than 50, some atypical moles, and a blood relative who has (or had) melanoma.

Congenital  Skin Mole

When a person is born with a mole, the mole is called a congenital mole. Roughly 1 out of 100 people are born with a mole. These moles vary in size from small to giant. Having a giant congenital mole increases a person’s risk of developing melanoma.

Spitz nevus

This mole can look like melanoma. It can so closely resemble melanoma that a dermatologist cannot tell by looking at it. Most Spitz nevi are pink, raised, and dome-shaped. A Spitz nevus can also have different colors in it like red, black, and brown. The mole may bleed. It can have an opening that oozes.
Acquired mole (50 to 100 or more) When a mole appears on the skin after a person is born, it is called an acquired mole. Most people who have light skin have about 10 to 40 of these moles. These moles also are called common moles. If a person has 50 or more of these moles, the person has a higher risk of getting melanoma.

How do dermatologists Tell Whether a Dark Depot is a Mole?

A dermatologist’s trained eye can often tell whether a spot is a mole.

How do dermatologists treat Moles?

Most moles do not require treatment. A dermatologist will remove a mole that: bothersome (rubs against clothing, etc.), unattractive to a patient, and suspicious (could be skin cancer). A dermatologist can usually remove a mole during an office visit. Most removals require only one office visit. Occasionally, a patient may need to return for a second visit. Whether it’s during 1 or 2 visits, a dermatologist can safely and efficiently remove a mole. A dermatologist will use one of these procedures:

• Surgical excision: The dermatologist cuts out the entire mole and stitches the skin closed if necessary. Your mole will also be looked at under a microscope by a specially trained doctor. This is done to check for cancer cells. If cancer cells are found, your dermatologist will let you know.
• Surgical shave: The dermatologist uses a surgical blade to remove the mole. In most cases, a specially trained doctor will examine your mole under a microscope. If cancer cells are found, your dermatologist will let you know.

Never Try to Remove a Mole at Home

While it may seem more convenient to shave off or cut out a mole yourself, there are three excellent reasons a dermatologist should remove it:

• Skin cancer: If the mole contains skin cancer, some cells can stay in the skin and even spread.
• Scarring: You can disfigure your skin, causing a scar.
• Infection: A dermatologist uses sterile equipment to prevent infection.

The Outcome of Skin Mole Treatment

After a mole is removed, the skin will heal. If the mole grows back, immediately make another appointment to see your dermatologist. This could be a sign of melanoma, the most severe type of skin cancer.