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What is it about ?
A mole (nevus) is a brownish-black patch on the skin. This stain is the result of an accumulation of cells that contain colored substances (pigment cells).
Most people have a few moles, an average of 20 to 30. Some people have hundreds of them.
Freckles and most dark spots that appear from the sun are not moles because they do not contain pigment cells.
Age spots (seborrheic keratosis) are also not moles.
Determining factors
The following factors are involved in the development of moles (moles):
- hereditary factors: moles are more common in some families;
- prolonged and repeated exposure to the sun.
How to recognize a mole?
Moles (moles) may be present at birth or appear later. They almost never appear after the age of 40.
Moles can appear in different ways:
- shape: small spots, small balls;
- size: a few millimeters (mm), 2 to 6 mm on average;
- distribution on the skin;
- number;
- color: flesh-colored, pinkish, light brown, dark brown to black-brown;
- hairiness: hairless or with long black hairs.
Moles can change over the years. These changes are very slow.
How does your doctor diagnose a mole (nevus)?
- More often than not, your doctor can diagnose a mole and tell the difference with skin cancer.
- He can take a photo of the skin every year. He can thus compare and see if the stain changes.
- If in doubt, the doctor will remove the stain (skin biopsy) for microscopic analysis in the laboratory.
What can you do ?
Monitor your moles. Skin cancer can look like a mole.
Check your skin regularly for spots.
- Is a mole changing?
- Is a spot different from your other moles?
- Does a new stain suddenly appear?
So be very careful.
The ABCDE rule makes it possible to detect a suspicious stain.
A stain is suspect if:
- A – Asymmetry: the spot is asymmetrical it has an irregular shape or thickness;
- B – Edges: the stain has irregular edges;
- C – Color: the stain has several colors;
- D – Dimension: the diameter of the spot is greater than 6 millimeters;
- E – Evolution: the stain evolves:
- it changes in size, shape, color or thickness, especially if the change is rapid;
- she bleeds easily;
- she develops sores;
- she has a discharge of pus;
- it tickles (itches);
- it hurts;
- small brown spots appear all around (satellite lesions).
Do you notice a suspicious stain? It needs to be evaluated. Contact your doctor.
What can your doctor do?
Moles, if they really are moles (nevi), are benign. They should therefore not be removed.
A doctor may remove a mole if it is bothersome or if it is on the face (for cosmetic reasons).
Additional tests
If certain signs suggest skin cancer, additional examinations are necessary.
Usually, the doctor removes the stain or a small piece of skin from the stain (skin biopsy). He sends the biopsy to the laboratory for analysis under a microscope. He can thus make a correct diagnosis and measure the depth of the lesion in the skin.
Remove a mole
When the doctor decides to remove a mole, he can do it by shaving or by excision.
Shaving
Shaving consists of scraping the mole with a scalpel, until the stain comes to the level of the skin. This method is only possible if the lesion is superficial.
Excision
Excision involves removing the mole by cutting the skin all around. Moles that have grown deeper in the skin should be removed by excision.
The doctor cuts the skin all around the mole, a few millimeters from the mole. So it also takes some healthy skin. Thus, all is well removed. This helps prevent the mole from growing again.
Sources
- Foreign clinical practice guide ‘Nævi (moles)’ (2013), updated on 05.10.2016 and adapted to the Belgian context on 12.21.2019 – ebpracticenet
- Foreign clinical practice guidelines ‘Suspicious skin abnormalities’ (2017) – NHG – Nederlands Huisartsen Genootschap
- DynaMed [Internet]. Ipswich (MA): EBSCO Information Services. 1995 -. Record No. T115302, Melanoma; [updated 2018 Dec 04, cited 07.2021]. Available from https://www-dynamed-com.gateway2.cdlh.be/topics/dmp~AN~T115302. Registration and login required.
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