Moles

Moles are basically clusters of pigmented cells—the melanocytes that give your skin its color—that form growths on the skin. It is common for moles to develop throughout childhood. Most of your moles will appear before the age of 25, but some develop later in life as a result of exposure to sunlight. Hormonal shifts may also cause them to change slightly. Moles may be flat or elevated and grow to about the size of a pencil eraser.

They can develop on any part on the body and may disappear with time. It is important to understand that a changing or irregular mole—in other words, one that does not look or act like similar lesions elsewhere on the body—could be an indication of cancer. Patients should check their body all over regularly, especially on areas that are frequently exposed to sunlight, and take note of any changes.

Common nevi usually develop sometime between childhood and adolescence. These small spots usually are pink, tan, or brown in color, and they tend to have a uniform round or oval shape with a defined, smooth border. The majority of people have anywhere from 10 to 40 of these nevi in total.

Congenital nevi are the moles that you are born with, rather than developing later in life. These pigmented birthmarks have a slightly higher chance of becoming cancerous compared to common nevi and occur much more rarely.

Atypical moles or dysplastic nevi are lesions that have an irregular shape, color, or border. Even if the nevi are noncancerous, they represent an increase in risk of developing melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer. They are usually larger than common moles and may be raised.

Most moles are harmless and do not require medical treatment, so they can be left alone. However, if Dr. Turner feels treatment is necessary, she can remove a mole during an office visit. Attempting to remove moles at home can be dangerous—and you wouldn’t be able to tell whether it was cancerous, meaning that cancer cells could spread to other areas of the body without you knowing.

A few moles will require a second visit. Whether it’s one or two visits, a licensed dermatologist such as Dr. Turner can safely and easily remove a mole. She will use one of these procedures:

• Surgical excision: Dr. Turner cuts out the entire mole and stitches the skin closed. If she suspects that the mole contains cancer, she will send the specimen to a lab to be examined under a microscope (this is called a biopsy).
• Surgical shave: Dr. Turner uses a surgical blade to remove the mole. No stitches or sutures will be necessary.
• Non-invasive biopsy (DermTech): Dr. Turner has the ability to perform a unique type of test on suspicious moles which are 6mm or larger which can genetically test for markers for melanoma or pre-melanoma without cutting the skin. By utilizing a sticker to remove skin cells from the surface of the mole which are then sent to DermTech laboratories, the cells are tested without creating unnecessary wounds or scarring. Only if there are positive melanoma markers identified will the patient return for actual physical removal of the lesion.

After a mole is removed, the skin will heal. If the mole grows back, it is important to make another appointment to see Dr. Turner, as this may be a sign of melanoma, a type of skin cancer. Because Dr. Turner makes a point to practice outstanding patient care, she is committed to listening to concerns and choosing appropriate courses of action for each patient. People coming to her for a consultation can expect the visit to be pleasant, professional, and educational. To schedule a visit with Dr. Turner to discuss therapeutic options for your moles, book an appointment online or call (214) 373-7546.

Costs vary from case to case due to specific treatments and the extent of treatment necessary. Learn more in person or with a phone call.