Moles

Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
Founder, WikiMD Wellnesspedia &
W8MD medical weight loss and sleep centers

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Moles: A Comprehensive Overview

A mole, or nevus (plural: nevi), is a common skin growth resulting from the clustering of pigment cells or melanocytes. Their presence on the human skin is pervasive, with most adults possessing between 10 and 40 common moles.

Skin black mole on the face, macro

Description and Features

• Location: Typically, moles are observed in areas of the skin exposed to the Sun, particularly above the waist. However, they rarely occur on the scalp, breast, and buttocks.
• Appearance Time: While some moles may be present at birth, many appear during childhood. The emergence of new moles often continues until around the age of 40.
• Physical Attributes: A standard mole is round or oval, typically no wider than 5 millimeters (approximately the width of a pencil eraser), and can be pink, tan, or brown in color. The shade often correlates with an individual's skin or hair color.
• Life Cycle: As individuals age, common moles tend to fade or disappear.

Skin Mole

Dysplastic Nevus

Dysplastic nevus - very high mag

A dysplastic nevus differs from a common mole and can appear anywhere on the body. Sun-exposed areas, like the back, are common sites, but they can also be found on the scalp, breasts, and areas below the waist.

• Comparison with Common Moles: People with dysplastic nevi often have a higher count of common moles.
• Risk Factor: Although most dysplastic nevi do not transform into melanoma, some might. Individuals with more than five dysplastic nevi have a melanoma risk estimated to be ten times higher than those without any. This risk escalates with an increasing count of dysplastic nevi.

Dysplastic Nevus and Melanoma

Though the majority of dysplastic nevi remain benign, some may evolve into melanoma. It's crucial to monitor them for any changes, given the increased risk they present.

Prevention and Monitoring

Protection from sun exposure is universally recommended. However, for those with dysplastic nevi, sun protection, including avoiding tanning booths and sunlamps, is paramount. Monthly self-skin examinations can aid in early detection of changes in dysplastic nevi. Any changes in size, shape, texture, or color, as well as symptoms like itching, bleeding, or oozing, should be promptly reported to a healthcare professional.

Periodic skin examinations by a physician are also advised. For those with a significant number of dysplastic nevi (more than five), semi-annual examinations might be suggested. Individuals with both dysplastic nevi and a family melanoma history might need even more frequent checks.

In most cases, there's no need to surgically remove a dysplastic nevus or common mole, given the low risk of transformation to melanoma. Removal of all moles also wouldn't eliminate melanoma risk since it can emerge as a new skin discoloration.

See Also

• Skin Cancer
• Melanoma
• Sunburn
• Skin health

Moles Resources
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