What is a mole?
Moles (pigmented nevi is the medical term) are
growths on the skin that usually are flesh-colored, brown or black. Moles can
appear anywhere on the skin, alone or in groups.
Most moles appear in early childhood and during the
first 20 years of a person's life. It is normal for a person to have between 10
to 40 moles by adulthood. Some moles may not appear until later in life.
The life cycle of an average mole is about 50 years.
As the years pass, moles usually change slowly, becoming raised and lighter in
color. Often, hairs develop on the mole. Some moles will not change at all. Some
moles will slowly disappear over time.
What causes a mole?
Moles occur when cells in the skin grow in a
cluster instead of being spread throughout the skin. These cells are called
melanocytes, and they make the pigment that gives skin its natural color. Moles
may darken after exposure to the sun, during the teen years and during pregnancy.
What should I look for when examining my moles?
Most moles are benign (non-cancerous). The only
moles that are of medical concern are those that look different than other
existing moles or those that first appear after age 20. If you notice changes in
a mole's color, height, size or shape, you should have a dermatologist evaluate
it. You also should have moles checked if they bleed, ooze, itch, appear scaly
or become tender or painful.
Examine your skin with a mirror or ask someone to help
you. Pay special attention to areas of your skin that are often exposed to the
sun, such as the hands, arms, chest, neck, face and ears.
If your moles do not change over time, there is little reason for concern.
The following ABCDE's are important signs of moles
that could be cancerous. If a mole displays any of the signs listed below, have
it checked immediately by a dermatologist:
- Asymmetry: When one half of the mole does not match the other half
- Border: When the border or edges of the mole are ragged, blurred or irregular
- Color: When the color of the mole is not the
same throughout or if it has shades of tan, brown, black, blue, white or red
- Diameter: If the diameter of a mole is larger than the eraser of a pencil
- Elevation/Evolution: If the moles are raised; or are the moles changing over time?
The most common location for melanoma (form of skin
cancer) in men is the back; in women, it is the lower leg. Melanoma is the most
common cancer in women ages 25 to 29.
What are the different types of moles?
Congenital Nevi: Moles that appear at birth.
Congenital nevi occur in about 1 in 100 people. These moles may be more likely
to develop into melanoma than are moles that appear after birth. If the mole is
more than 8 inches in diameter, it poses more risk of becoming cancerous.
Dysplastic Nevi: Moles that are larger than
average (larger than a pencil eraser) and irregular in shape. They tend to have
uneven color with dark brown centers and lighter, uneven edges. These moles tend
to be hereditary, and people with dysplastic nevi may have more than 100 moles.
People with dysplastic nevi have a greater chance of developing malignant
(cancerous) melanoma. Any changes in the mole should be checked by a
dermatologist to detect skin cancer.
How are moles treated?
To treat a mole, first a biopsy (small tissue
sample of the mole) is taken by a dermatologist so that thin sections of the
tissue can be examined under a microscope. This is a simple procedure. If the
dermatologist thinks the mole might be cancerous, cutting through the mole will
not cause the cancer to spread. If the mole is found to be cancerous, the
dermatologist will remove the entire mole.
There are two methods of removal:
- Removing the mole by shave excision (shaving it off)
- Cutting out the entire mole and stitching the area closed
If you see any signs of change in an existing mole, if you have a new mole or if you want a
mole to be removed for cosmetic reasons, consult your dermatologist.
Where can I get more information?
American Cancer Society
800.4.CANCER (800.422.6237)
www.cancer.org
Skin Cancer Foundation
212.725.5176
www.skincancer.org
American Academy of Dermatology
708.330.0230
www.aad.org
© Copyright 1995-2009 The Cleveland Clinic Foundation. All rights reserved.
Can't find the health information you’re looking for?
Ask a Health Educator, Live!
Know someone who could use this information?...send them this link.
This information is provided by the Cleveland Clinic and is not intended to replace the medical advice of your doctor or health care provider. Please consult your health care provider for advice about a specific medical condition. This document was last reviewed on: 11/6/2009...#4410
