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    This document provides information about moles, including: 1) Moles are common skin growths caused by clusters of pigmented cells and most people have 10-40 moles. 2) While most moles are harmless, rare moles can become cancerous and develop into melanoma, so monitoring moles is important for early cancer detection. 3) Unusual moles that may indicate melanoma can be identified using the ABCDE criteria of asymmetry, irregular borders, varied colors, diameter larger than 6mm, and evolving features over time.

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    9 views1 page
    This document provides information about moles, including: 1) Moles are common skin growths caused by clusters of pigmented cells and most people have 10-40 moles. 2) While most moles are harmless, rare moles can become cancerous and develop into melanoma, so monitoring moles is important for early cancer detection. 3) Unusual moles that may indicate melanoma can be identified using the ABCDE criteria of asymmetry, irregular borders, varied colors, diameter larger than 6mm, and evolving features over time.

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    This document provides information about moles, including: 1) Moles are common skin growths caused by clusters of pigmented cells and most people have 10-40 moles. 2) While most moles are harmless, rare moles can become cancerous and develop into melanoma, so monitoring moles is important for early cancer detection. 3) Unusual moles that may indicate melanoma can be identified using the ABCDE criteria of asymmetry, irregular borders, varied colors, diameter larger than 6mm, and evolving features over time.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    9 views1 page

    Nike

    Uploaded by

    khadirwaiss397
    This document provides information about moles, including: 1) Moles are common skin growths caused by clusters of pigmented cells and most people have 10-40 moles. 2) While most moles are harmless, rare moles can become cancerous and develop into melanoma, so monitoring moles is important for early cancer detection. 3) Unusual moles that may indicate melanoma can be identified using the ABCDE criteria of asymmetry, irregular borders, varied colors, diameter larger than 6mm, and evolving features over time.

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    COVID-19: Advice, updates

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    MENU SEARCH

    Request an Appointment

    Patient Care & Health Information Diseases & Conditions

    Moles
    Moles
    SECTIONS
    Moles are usually harmless. They may
    contain
    Print hairs or become raised or wrinkled.
    Talk to your doctor about any change in the
    Overview
    color or size of a mole or if itching, pain,
    bleeding or inflammation develops.
    Moles are a common type of
    skin growth. They often
    appear as small, dark brown
    spots and are caused by
    clusters of pigmented cells.
    Moles generally appear during
    childhood and adolescence. Moles
    Most people have 10 to 40
    moles, some of which may
    change in appearance or fade
    away over time.

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    Most moles are harmless. Rarely, they become


    cancerous. Monitoring moles and other
    pigmented patches is an important step in
    detecting skin cancer, especially malignant
    melanoma.

    The medical term for moles is nevi.

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    Symptoms
    The typical mole is a brown spot. But moles
    come in different colors, shapes and sizes:

    Color and texture. Moles can be brown,


    tan, black, red, blue or pink. They can be
    smooth, wrinkled, flat or raised. They may
    have hair growing from them.

    Shape. Most moles are oval or round.

    Size. Moles are usually less than 1/4 inch


    (about 6 millimeters) in diameter — the size
    of a pencil eraser. Rarely, moles present at
    birth (congenital nevi) can be much bigger,
    covering wide areas of the face, torso or a
    limb.

    Moles can develop anywhere on your body,


    including your scalp, armpits, under your nails,
    and between your fingers and toes. Most people
    have 10 to 40 moles. Many of these develop by
    age 50. Moles may change in appearance or
    fade away over time. Hormonal changes of
    adolescence and pregnancy may cause moles to
    become darker and larger.

    Unusual moles that may indicate


    melanoma
    This ABCDE guide can help you determine if a
    mole or a spot may indicate melanoma or other
    skin cancers:

    A is for asymmetrical shape. One half is


    unlike the other half.

    B is for border. Look for moles with


    irregular, notched or scalloped borders.

    C is for color. Look for growths that have


    changed color, have many colors or have
    uneven color.

    D is for diameter. Look for new growth in a


    mole larger than 1/4 inch (about 6
    millimeters).

    E is for evolving. Watch for moles that


    change in size, shape, color or height,
    especially if part or all of a mole turns black.
    Moles may also evolve to develop new
    signs and symptoms, such as itchiness or
    bleeding.

    Cancerous (malignant) moles vary greatly in


    appearance. Some may show all of the features
    listed above. Others may have only one or two.

    When to see a doctor


    Make an appointment with your doctor if a mole
    looks unusual, grows or changes.

    Request an Appointment at Mayo


    Clinic

    Causes
    Moles are caused when cells
    in the skin (melanocytes) grow
    in clusters or clumps.
    Melanocytes are distributed
    throughout your skin and
    produce melanin, the natural
    pigment that gives your skin its
    color. Skin layers
    and melanin
    Complications
    Melanoma is the main complication of moles.
    Some people have a higher than average risk of
    their moles becoming cancerous and developing
    into melanoma. Factors that increase your risk of
    melanoma include:

    Being born with large moles. These types


    of moles are called congenital nevi. On an
    infant, such moles are classified as large if
    they're more than 2 inches (5 centimeters)
    in diameter. Even a large mole seldom
    becomes cancerous and almost never
    before the child reaches puberty.

    Having unusual moles. Moles that are


    bigger than a common mole and irregular in
    shape are known as atypical (dysplastic)
    nevi. They tend to be hereditary. And they
    often have dark brown centers and lighter,
    uneven borders.

    Having many moles. Having more than 50


    ordinary moles indicates an increased risk
    of melanoma. Two studies add to the
    evidence that the number of your moles
    predict cancer risk. One showed that people
    under 50 years old who have 20 or more
    moles on their arms are at increased risk of
    melanoma. Another showed a relationship
    between the number of women's moles and
    breast cancer risk.

    Having a personal or family history of


    melanoma. If you've had melanoma before,
    you are at increased risk of a mole
    becoming cancerous. In addition, some
    types of atypical moles lead to a genetic
    form of melanoma.

    Prevention
    The following measures can help limit the
    development of moles and the main complication
    of moles — melanoma.

    Watch for changes


    Become familiar with the location and pattern of
    your moles. Regularly examine your skin to look
    for changes that may signal melanoma. Do self-
    exams once a month, especially if you have a
    family history of melanoma. With the help of
    mirrors, do a head-to-toe check, including your
    scalp, palms and fingernails, armpits, chest, legs,
    and your feet, including the soles and the spaces
    between the toes. Also check your genital area
    and between your buttocks.

    Talk with your doctor about your risk factors for


    melanoma and whether you need a professional
    skin exam on a routine basis.

    Protect your skin


    Take measures to protect your skin from
    ultraviolet (UV) radiation, such as from the sun or
    tanning beds. UV radiation has been linked to
    increased melanoma risk. And children who
    haven't been protected from sun exposure tend
    to develop more moles.

    Avoid peak sun times. For many people in


    North America, the sun's rays are strongest
    between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Schedule
    outdoor activities for other times of the day,
    even on cloudy days or in winter.

    Use sunscreen year-round. Apply


    sunscreen about 30 minutes before going
    outdoors, even on cloudy days. Use a
    broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of
    at least 15. Apply it generously and reapply
    every two hours — or more often if you're
    swimming or sweating. The American
    Academy of Dermatology recommends
    using a broad-spectrum, water-resistant
    sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30.

    Cover up. Sunglasses, broad-brimmed


    hats, long sleeves and other protective
    clothing can help you avoid damaging UV
    rays. You might also want to consider
    clothing that's made with fabric specially
    treated to block UV radiation.

    Avoid tanning lamps and beds. Tanning


    lamps and beds emit UV rays and can
    increase your risk of skin cancer.

    By Mayo Clinic Staff

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    Clinic

    Diagnosis & treatment

    Nov. 19, 2019

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