MOLES

Moles are spots on the skin that are brown, blue, black, or flesh-colored. They are collections of pigment cells that may stay smooth, become raised or wrinkled, or may even fall off in old age. Moles on the face are sometimes called beauty marks. Most people have moles somewhere on their bodies. Most moles appear by age 20 and persist for an average of 50 years. There usually are more of them after the age of 50.

Moles start out as a flat brown or black spot much like a freckle. They come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, elevations, and colors. As they age, moles become larger and can develop hairs. Most become elevated and lighter in color before eventually disappearing. A few grow so tall they develop a stalk or a "horn" and fall off naturally.

Certain moles have a high risk for developing into a skin cancer called melanoma. These include:

Moles that appear in large numbers (greater than 100).
Moles that are present at birth (congenital nevi) are more likely to develop into a melanoma than moles that appear after birth. Larger ones that are more than 8 inches across pose the greatest risk.
Moles that are larger than a pencil eraser and irregular in shape also pose a risk. These are called dysplastic nevi and atypical moles and tend to run in families. They usually have uneven color with dark brown centers. They may have black dots on the edges or uneven edges that are lighter in color (sometimes reddish).

Persons with these types of moles should be seen regularly by a healthcare provider to check for any changes that might indicate skin cancer. Regular self-examinations should be done, looking for changes in the color, size, or shape of their moles, and new moles. These moles should also be protected from the sun by using a sunscreen and protective clothing.

Recognizing the early warning signs of malignant melanoma is important. In general, any change in the size, border, shape, color, or appearance of a mole should be seen by a healthcare provider. Most melanomas can be identified using the following A-B-C-D criteria.

A = Asymmetry (the left side of the lesion is not the same as the right side)
B = Border Irregularity (the edges are irregular, ragged, or poorly defined)
C = Color (the color is not the same all over; there may be patches of tan, brown, black, pink, white, or blue)
D = Diameter (the area is larger than a pencil eraser or is growing)

In addition, moles that re-occur or are associated with itching, pain, bleeding, or swelling should also be seen. Since it is not always possible to detect skin cancer yourself, if you notice any of these A-B-C-D signs, or if you have any questions about any suspicious skin areas, contact your provider.

For more information about moles or other skin problems, the American Academy of Dermatology offers a variety of services including patient and consumer education information, a physician referral directory, and links to other skin related websites. Visit their website at www.aad.org or call (888) 462-3376.

The American Cancer Society also offers information about moles and other types of skin cancer. Visit their website at www.cancer.org or call (800) 227-2345.

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

HIL File SKIN4974.RF2 VRS# 4974 Data Version 7.0