Moles – types, formation, removal. Moles and the risk of cancer

Proven content

Pigmented lesions, or moles, are skin lesions present on the body of every human being. They come in various shades – from imperceptible on fair skin, through red and brown, to completely black. The intensity of their color depends on the number of skin pigment cells (so-called melanocytes) they contain; the higher it is, the darker the mole will be.

How are moles formed?

Most moles appear with age under the influence of ultraviolet (UV) light; sometimes, however, a person is born with a few. They are then the so-called birthmarks. Birthmarks can be genetic, or they can arise from a viral infection. Depending on the type of mole, it is more or less prone to cancer development.

Moles – types of moles

The common types of birthmarks include:

Birthmark it is the birthmark we are born with. They are generally classified as small, medium, or giant. They differ in color, shape and consistency. Some congenital moles cover large areas of the body.

Common birthmark it is a smooth, round mole that has a single color. You can be born with them, but most people don’t develop them until later in childhood. Common birthmarks can be flat or convex and can be more pink, light brown, or brown.

Dysplastic birthmark is another name for an unusual mole. These birthmarks are benign (non-malignant) but often resemble melanoma. They can be of different colors, look asymmetrical or have strange edges. People with dysplastic moles are more likely to develop melanoma.

The birthmark is blue is a characteristic blue birthmark (this is caused by a light phenomenon called the Tyndall effect) that can be congenital or acquired. The normal blue nevus is flat, but it can also be convex and range in color from bluish-gray to bluish-black. Blue birthmarks are commonly found in people of Asian descent. It turns into melanoma relatively rarely.

Miescher’s birthmark is a brownish or skin-colored raised mole that usually appears on the face or neck. It is usually round, smooth, and hair can come out.

Mark Meyersona are moles surrounded by a small ring of eczema that is an itchy red rash. They can appear on the skin regardless of whether someone in our family has had problems with eczema. Meyerson’s birthmark affects men almost three times more often than women. Most develop around the age of 30.

Mark type halo (or Sutton’s birthmark) is a birthmark surrounded by a white ring of unpigmented skin. Over time, the mole inside begins to fade from brown to pink before disappearing completely. It’s not uncommon for someone to have several birthmarks at different stages of fading.

Mark Pointed is a pink raised mole that usually appears before the age of 20 in fair-skinned people. The nevus may be reddish in color and most often appears on the face and torso when accompanied by satellite nodules. It can also bleed or ooze, making it difficult to tell them from melanoma. It happens that it disappears by itself.

Mark complex refers to a cluster of similar moles located in one area of ​​the body. These groups of similar-looking birthmarks may differ in appearance and type.

See also: Are red moles dangerous?

Moles – cancer risk

Determining the potential risk of mole-induced melanoma is the job of a dermatologist and should be referred to if in doubt. A visit to a dermatologist is reimbursed by the National Health Fund, although it should be remembered that a referral is required. The so-called ABCDE scale. These are the first letters of the five criteria for evaluating a pigmented nevus (in English):

1. A – Asymmetry – A significant asymmetry of the mole means an increased risk of developing it into melanoma.
2. B – borders – irregular edges of the mole also mean an increased risk of melanoma.
3. C – color – the uneven color of the nevus resulting from the uneven distribution of melanocytes may indicate the formation of melanoma.
4. D – diameter – if the mole is more than 0,5 cm, it can turn into melanoma.
5. E – evolution – the change in appearance of the birthmark over the past three months is also an alarming signal.

The presence of any of these signals is indication for consultation with a doctor. Remember, any birthmark, growth, or mole that is disturbing or changes over time should be checked as soon as possible. It is recommended that the lesion be examined by a dermatologist or surgeon-oncologist as soon as possible and, in case of any doubts, its removal. You can buy a test package that includes dermatoscopy and consultation with a dermatologist at Medonet Market.

Moles and malignant melanoma

Melanoma is the greatest danger of moles, and therefore should be monitored regularly – up to 90 percent of melanomas detected early enough can be cured. Unfortunately, as a result of frequent underestimation of skin lesions, melanoma in Poland is still the cause of death, and the number of people diagnosed with this type of cancer is constantly growing.

Find out more: Five atypical signs of skin cancer

The development of melanoma is most often caused by excess UV radiation, resulting, for example, from too long sunbathing – that is why this type of cancer is very common in countries such as the USA or Australia. Especially people with a large number of moles are not advised to use the solarium, which increases the likelihood of melanoma by up to 70 percent. Exposing your skin to toxic chemicals also increases your risk of melanoma.

Removal of moles

Due to the dangers of an atypical skin lesion, many people choose to surgery to remove a pigmentary nevus. And although not every mole should be removed, it is definitely worth considering for moles that are exposed to irritation or too much sunlight. There are many methods of removing them, and the dermatologist decides which one to choose.

Among the most frequently chosen places where moles are removed, there are areas of the body that are exposed to various types of irritation with clothing or underwear, or during everyday activities. In addition, moles are often removed from visible places where the moles negatively affect the aesthetic appearance, e.g. face, shoulder area or back. It should be added that not only our clothes and underwear can irritate moles, but this also applies to women’s handbags, backpacks and even jewelry.

A dermatologist evaluates the mole while performing a dermatoscopy. The examination involves the use of a dermatoscope, a special device that allows the doctor to view the birthmark at a magnification of several times. It should be noted here that dermoscopy is a safe, non-invasive and painless examination. If the nevus appears suspicious, the patient is referred to the mole removal procedure.

One method of removing moles is the surgical method, consisting in the removal of the mole with a scalpel (removal with a 1-2 mm margin of unchanged tissues). The procedure is performed under local anesthesia. It is very important that after the procedure a histopathological examination is performed to examine the nature of the skin lesion. Only after removing the skin lesions, it can be determined whether there was a risk of melanoma and whether the lesion was completely removed.

Another method of removing moles is the laser methodthanks to which you can remove skin lesions that are in places difficult to reach the scalpel. It is worth mentioning that this method is very popular because it does not leave any scars, and the wound heals very quickly and there is no need to sew it. In addition, it should be added that the laser treatment is almost painless and therefore is often performed without anesthesia. This method takes about 30 minutes and the wound heals within a few days of the procedure.

Moles – prophylaxis

The more pigmented marks (i.e. moles) on the body, the greater the chances of developing melanoma, which is a threat to our health and life. In the case of preventing moles, it should be noted that most moles appear in the summer, when we are most exposed to the sun’s rays.

Therefore, the prophylaxis should mainly consist in protecting the skin from the sun and for this purpose it is recommended to use creams with a UV filter.

We should also remember to simply avoid the sun during the hours when it shines the most (if possible, plan outdoor activities for other times of the day, even on cloudy days or in winter), and when we are outside, cover our body to minimize it. same exposure to sunlight. Sunglasses, wide-brimmed hats, long sleeves and other protective clothing will help us avoid harmful UV rays. We can also consider wearing clothing that is made of fabric that is specially protected against UV radiation.

For people with large pigmented moles or people who are particularly concerned about developing melanoma, it might be a good idea to cover the moles with a plaster to prevent UV rays from reaching them.

Another equally important element in the prevention of the formation of moles and the development of skin cancer is systematic control and observation of all skin lesions. For hard-to-reach places, it is a good idea to use a mirror and carefully inspect every part of your body including the scalp, hands, armpits, chest, legs and feet, including the soles of the feet and the spaces between the toes. You should also check the genital area and between the buttocks.

This is especially important because even the smallest changes can be a sign of the development of a skin cancer. People who:

1. they work physically outside;
2. are more likely to rub the marks or injure them;
3. have someone in their family who has had skin cancer;
4. they tan often, not using sunscreen;
5. have a fair complexion;
6. during their childhood they struggled with sunburn.

If we feel that one of our moles may turn into melanoma, we should consult a dermatologist as soon as possible, who will be able to assess the condition of our skin, examine each nevus on the skin and thus determine whether the pigmented nevus is malignant. If you are not sure if your birthmarks are okay, it’s a good idea to take pictures of the moles so that you can more easily see if they change over time.

Also check: Liver spots – how do they arise and how to eliminate them?

Home remedies for moles

Before we try to remove the mole on our own, it should be borne in mind that such methods can only be used if we are XNUMX% sure that the mole is benign. We can only have such certainty after consulting a dermatologist.

You can try to lighten the benign changes with:

1. onions
2. garlic,
3. apple cider vinegar,
4. banana peel,
5. castor oil,
6. tea tree oil,
7. pineapple juice.    

The mole can also be hidden under makeup. On the other hand, if hair grows on it, it can be safely trimmed.

Under no circumstances should you remove the moles yourself e.g. by cutting them off with scissors. First, a mole can contain cancerous cells that can remain in the skin and may even spread further. Second, you can disfigure your skin, causing scarring. Third, the dermatologist uses sterile equipment to prevent infection.

Moles – damage

Sometimes a mole is accidentally scratched. It is often said then that scratching the mole will lead to the development of melanoma, i.e. a malignant skin cancer. However, do not panic because scratches a mole on its own, does not change it into melanoma. If the mole is damaged, e.g. during epilation, this area of ​​the body should be gently cleaned and monitored. The resulting wound should heal without any problems, although it sometimes happens that infection and inflammation within the wound occur, which requires the intervention of a doctor.

We should also go to the doctor when the damaged area hurts, we notice blisters or fluid begins to leak from the wound. A dermatologist should also look at a damaged mole if it changes shape or color. Usually, the damaged area has to be excised and a histopathological examination is done. If, after dorming the remnants of the mole, melanoma developed, it means that this place has been affected by the disease for a long time and we simply did not know anything about it before, and the reason for the development of the tumor was not the mole damage itself.

The expert explains: Is a scratched mole dangerous?

Pregnancy and moles

During pregnancy, women should still care for their skin and use sunscreen. Hormonal changes can darken or enlarge existing moles, which are usually harmless. New areas of pigmentation may appear, which may or may not disappear after the baby is born. Common changes include the face, breasts, thighs, and armpits. While it is expected that some pigmentation changes will occur during pregnancy, there may still be a risk of skin cancer. If you notice any changes on the skin, a pregnant woman should consult her doctor.

Interesting facts about moles

1. Moles have played a large role in various cultures over hundreds of years. In ancient Rome, people put fake moles made of leather on their faces. In China, on the other hand, moles were used to make predictions.              
2. For some time (in medieval Europe), moles on the face were considered a symbol of witches or devil worship. The moles were accused of women of being witches and burned at the stake. For this reason, images of witches with huge warts or moles on their faces are observed today in culture.
3. Dogs have them too! If you’ve ever seen a strange growth on your dog’s chin, you’re looking at a mole. They’re perfectly normal and have nerves inside them that make it a sensitive area.

Find out more:

1. Moles and benign tumors
2. Melanoma – starts with an innocent mole
3. She ignored the small spot on the buttock – the star warns of melanoma