When should you worry about a mole?
Although most moles are not dangerous, there are certain warning signs:
– When a mole appears and develops rapidly.
– When one mole changes faster than the other.
– When a mole meets at least three criteria of the ABCDE rule: A for asymmetry, B for irregular edge, C for color difference, D for dimensions, more than 6 mm, E for evolution: the most important criterion, which in itself encourages consultation.
If a mole becomes painful, itchy, bleeds, or ulcerates, a biopsy may also be considered. Some of the most aggressive melanomas (the most dangerous types of skin cancer) even meet this criterion.
Is a scratched mole cause for concern?
It is not so much the trauma to a mole that is dangerous, but the fact that a mole, which is normally a benign anomaly, can bleed spontaneously.
It may also be a malignant abnormality that is immediately visible and bleeds, so be careful.
Consult a dermatologist. He or she can make the diagnosis based on a thorough examination not only of the abnormality in question but also of your entire skin.
Suspicious mole, what is melanoma?
Suspicious mole, what is melanoma?
Melanoma begins in skin cells called melanocytes. A malignant tumor is a group of cancer cells that can invade and destroy neighboring tissue. A tumor can also spread to other parts of the body through metastases.
Melanocytes can clump together and form moles on the skin. They appear as bumps or spots, usually brown or pink. Most people have a few moles. These are benign, noncancerous growths.
Other types of skin cancer, basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma
Basal cell carcinoma is the most common type of cancer. Its incidence is between 1% and 1.5% of the European population. The main risk factor is sun exposure, particularly UV radiation exposure during childhood: sunburn in children would predispose to the development of this cancer. Basal cell carcinoma has an excellent prognosis if treated early and metastasizes very rarely. It appears as a small, raised lesion with a pinkish-red color, sometimes the same color as the adjacent skin or with a brownish-black pigmentation. It should not be confused with seborrheic keratosis, a benign lesion.
Squamous cell carcinoma, or squamous cell carcinoma, is less common than basal cell carcinoma. Healthcare professionals estimate its incidence at 5 per 1,000. The main risk factor is always the sun: prolonged and repeated exposure throughout life during occupational or recreational activities. However, the sun is not the only risk factor for squamous cell carcinoma. Ionizing radiation and certain carcinogenic chemicals (such as arsenic, cutting oils, etc.) promote the development of these tumors. It usually manifests as a non-healing scab, sometimes bleeding, and with little to no pain.
Medical diagnosis of nevus
Because moles are very common and melanomas are rare, preventative removal is not warranted. However, biopsy and histological examination should be considered if the moles exhibit certain high-risk features.
Biopsies should be large enough to allow for accurate diagnosis under the microscope and, if possible, cover the entire lesion, especially if melanoma is suspected. However, wide primary excision should not be considered initially, even if highly conspicuous lesions are present.
Many of these lesions are not melanomas, and even in melanomas , the appropriate treatment options and recommendations for lymph node sampling are determined based on histopathological features. Excisional biopsy does not increase the risk of metastases if the lesion turns out to be malignant and prevents major surgery for benign lesions.