Moles are small lesions in the skin. They are a collection of melanocytes, which are melanin-producing cells. Melanin is a pigment which gives skin its color. Moles vary in color but are typically brownish.
However, some moles may be much darker or the same color as a person’s skin. They can be rough, flat, raised, and have hair growing out of them. They are generally round or oval, and have a smooth edge.
Moles can change in appearance and amount. Sometimes they eventually fade away or drop off. Some moles respond to changes in hormone levels, as may occur during pregnancy, adolescence, and older age. During teen years they usually grow in number, they also get darker during pregnancy and gradually fade away as people age.
The majority of moles appear during the first 20-30 years of a person’s life, however, some may be present when the baby is born. Congenital melanocytic nevi are present at birth, any moles appearing after birth are melanocytic nevi. Dark skinned people generally have fewer moles than those with fair skin.
Fast facts on moles
- Most moles are inherited.
- People brought up in sunny places tend to have more moles than others with the same type of skin who were raised in areas with comparatively little sun exposure.
- Sun spots, which may be caused by severe sunburn, are not moles.
- The vast majority of moles are harmless. In rare cases they can develop into an aggressive type of skin cancer called malignant melanoma.
- If you have moles, you should check them regularly for changes in texture and appearance.
Older people tend to have seborrheic keratoses. These are not moles; they may look like them, but they are blemishes. They look like raised warts. They can be gray, brown, yellowish, or black. They are more commonly found on the tummy and chest.
Freckles are not moles.
The majority of moles are harmless and require no treatment. They may be surgically removed if:
- The mole is a suspected melanoma.
- It is bothersome, such as if the patient finds shaving difficult, or it gets snagged in clothing.
A mole may be removed in several ways:
- Shave excision – the area around the mole is numbed, a small blade is used to cut around and under the mole. A technique commonly used for smaller moles. No sutures (stitches) are needed.
- Excisional surgery (excision biopsy) – the mole plus a surrounding margin of healthy skin is cut out using a scalpel or a punch device. Sutures are required.
If the melanoma is detected in the very early stages, when the mole is thin and has not grown downwards from the surface of the skin and spread to other parts of the body, it is removed using a simple surgical technique.
If it is detected in later stages, it will be removed, plus some healthy skin around it – called a safety margin. If the cancer has entered the bloodstream or lymphatic system and formed tumors in other parts of the body, the patient will require further treatment.
In general, moles are brown; however, they can come in a variety of sizes, shapes and colors:
- Shape – they can be oval and round.
- Color – they are usually medium-to dark brown, reddish brown, or flesh colored.
- Size – moles can vary enormously in size. They can cover an entire arm, or be as small as a pinhead. Typically, they are less than 6 millimeters (1/4 inch) long.
A mole’s surface can be raised, wrinkled, flat, or smooth. They may start out with one color and be flat, and then become slightly raised, and the color may lighten. Some may develop a small stalk, and gradually wear off.
Often, moles will disappear completely.
Most moles appear during early life, up to the age of about 20 years, however, they can continue appearing until middle age.
Moles that emerge after the age of 20 should be shown to a doctor. You should also see your doctor if a mole itches, has a burning sensation, is painful, bleeds or oozes, is crusty or scaly, or suddenly changes in color, elevation, size, or shape.
Most moles do not lead to complications, but some can become cancerous.
This is especially true for:
- Congenital nevi – these are large moles that people are born with. They raise the individual’s risk of developing malignant melanoma, an aggressive and potentially fatal type of skin cancer.
- Moles that appear in families – atypical (dysplastic) nevi are larger than normal and are usually hereditary. Individuals with dysplastic nevi have a higher risk of developing malignant melanoma than other individuals.
- Many moles – people with numerous moles run a greater risk of developing malignant melanoma.
People, especially those with numerous moles, should check them regularly for changes in size, color or shape. In the majority of cases, mole changes are nothing to worry about, they are usually due to benign increases in pigment cells in the skin. Benign means non-cancerous.
When visiting a doctor about a mole, they will ask the parient to describe when they detected the changes, and if there is a family history of moles and any complications.
NICE (National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence), UK, has a seven-point checklist to use when assessing a mole:
- Does the mole cause pain, itching, or a change in sensation?
- Does the mole have an irregular color?
- Does the mole have an irregular shape?
- Has the mole changed in size?
- Is the mole 0.28 inches (7 millimeters) across or more?
- Is the mole oozing?
- Is the mole red and swollen (inflamed)?
If the changes to the mole are mild, the doctor may take a clinical photograph of it and measure its dimensions. The patient will be asked to come back after a few weeks to see whether any of the dimensions have changed.
If a doctor suspects there are signs of malignancy, the patient will be referred to a specialist, usually a dermatologist.
The dermatologist will either cut the mole out (excision biopsy) or say that the mole is not cancerous. Ideally, the entire mole is surgically removed in one go. If it is in a difficult location, this might not be possible.
The removed mole will be sent to a lab and viewed under a microscope for signs of cell changes.
If lab results come back with a suspected melanoma, further tests may be ordered to determine whether the cancer has spread.
Protecting yourself from skin cancer
If a mole is going to form, it will form, there is nothing you can do to prevent that. However, you can reduce the chances of developing malignant melanoma by doing the following:
- Regularly check your moles for any changes.
- Limit the amount of time your skin is exposed to sunlight.
People with fewer moles may face risk of more aggressive melanoma
While people with more than 50 moles may be at higher risk of developing melanoma, people who have fewer moles may be at greater risk of developing more aggressive melanoma.
Number of moles on right arm could predict risk of deadly skin cancer
The number of moles on one’s right arm could be used to predict the risk of melanoma – the deadliest form of skin cancer – according to a new study by researchers from King’s College London in the UK.