Moles

Common and treatable

Moles are growths on the skin that are usually light brown or black. Moles can appear anywhere on the skin, alone or in groups.  Most moles appear in early childhood and during the first 20 years of a person's life. Some moles may not appear until later in life. It is normal to have between 10-40 moles by adulthood.

As the years pass, moles usually change slowly, becoming raised and/or changing color. Often, hairs develop on the mole. Some moles may not change at all, while others may slowly disappear over time.

How Do I Know if a Mole Is Cancer?

Most moles are not dangerous. The only moles that are of medical concern are those that look different than other existing moles or those that appear to be changing.  If you notice changes in a mole's color, height, size or shape, you should have it evaluated. You also should have moles checked if they bleed, ooze, itch, appear scaly, or become tender or painful.

Removal of moles can be performed if they are in a location where they are traumatized (for instance on the back where the strap of a bra rubs against it) or if they are a cosmetic concern.   Moles that have any suspicious characteristics mentioned above should be biopsied or removed.  A biopsy only takes part of a mole away typically - it is useful to make sure a mole isn't becoming cancerous.  Moles can be excised (cutting through the skin around it and then suturing the skin closed) or shaved (cutting the mole down to the level where it is level with the remaining skin).  Removal of moles leaves a scar no matter how it is performed.  Typically these are flat, white areas, but this depends a lot on how your body heals. 



Multiple moles on a man's chest