Moles (Nevi)

Who gets moles?:

Moles are very common. Almost every adult has some. Most adults have a type of mole called a common mole, which is harmless. There are other types of moles. Below you’ll see types of moles that can increase a person’s risk of getting melanoma, the most serious type of skin cancer. If you discover any one of these moles on your skin, you should have a dermatologist give you a skin exam.

Types of moles that increase melanoma risk:

Atypical moles: Melanoma can grow in an atypical mole. Anyone who has atypical moles, such as this patient, should watch his or her moles for change. This type of mole can look like melanoma. It is not melanoma. But you have a higher risk of getting melanoma if you have:

• Four or more atypical moles.
• Already had a melanoma.
• A first-degree relative (parent, brother, sister, or child) who had melanoma.

Your dermatologist may call an atypical mole a dysplastic nevus. Nevus is the medical term for 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).
• 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 moles that are atypical
• A blood relative who has (or had) melanoma

Congenital mole

When a person is born with a mole, the mole is called a congenital mole. Roughly, 1 out of 100 people is 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.

How do dermatologists treat moles?

Most moles do not require treatment. A dermatologist may remove a mole that is:

• Bothersome (rubs against clothing, etc.)
• Unattractive to a patient
• Suspicious (could be skin cancer)

A dermatologist can safely and easily remove a mole and may 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 very good reasons a dermatologist should remove it:

• Skin cancer: If the mole contains skin cancer, some of the cancer 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.

Outcome

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-serious type of skin cancer.

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