What does a healthy mole look like? Types of moles on the human body
Moles are congenital or acquired skin defects formed as a result of the growth of a pigmented skin epithelial layer. That is, a mole is a kind of small formation that rises above the surface of the skin, has a different shape and is painted in brown or pink-red shades.
Mole - definition and main properties
Doctors name moles pigmented, melanocytic, melanoform or non-cellular nevi, since according to the mechanism of formation they are benign tumors originating from normal cells of various skin structures with the obligatory presence of melanocytes in them (cells that provide a brown or pinkish color to the mole). This means that the basic structure of a mole can be formed from cells in the epidermis (outer layer of the skin) or dermis (deep layer of the skin) that have formed a compact cluster in a small area. In addition to the structure-forming cells of the dermis or epidermis, a mole necessarily contains a small amount of melanocytes that produce a pigment that gives them a different color.Melanocytes are found in the skin of every person, with the exception of albinos, and provide a unique skin color by producing pigment. The pigment produced by melanocytes can vary from pink to dark brown. It is the color of the pigment produced by melanocytes that explains the different skin color in representatives of various peoples and ethnic groups. That is, if a person's skin is white, then melanocytes produce a light pink pigment, if dark, then light brown, etc.
Melanocytes that are part of the mole also produce a pigment of their usual, inherent color or shade (the same as on the areola of the nipples or labia minora). However, since the mole contains a rather large number of melanocytes per unit surface area, their pigment appears to be “concentrated”, as a result of which the color of the nevus is much darker than the rest of the skin. Therefore, in dark-skinned people, moles are usually painted in dark brown or almost black colors, and in owners of fair skin, nevi are pinkish or light brown.
Moles can be congenital or acquired. Congenital moles in children are not immediately visible, they begin to appear from 2 to 3 months of age. However, this does not mean that moles begin to form at 2-3 months, they are present from birth, just due to their very small size they are not visible. Moles grow with a person, increasing in size as the area of the skin increases. That is, while the child is very small, his congenital moles are also scanty and they are simply not visible. And when he grows up, his moles will increase in size so much that they can be seen with the naked eye.
Acquired moles appear in a person throughout life, and there is no age limit up to which nevi can form. This means that new moles on a person's skin can form until death. The most intensively acquired moles are formed during periods of hormonal changes - for example, puberty, pregnancy, menopause, etc. During these periods, old moles can grow, change color or shape.
Moles are benign neoplasms with, as a rule, a favorable course, that is, they do not tend to degenerate into. That is why in most cases they do not pose any danger and do not require treatment. However, in rare cases, moles can become malignant, that is, degenerate into skin cancer, and this is precisely their main potential danger.
However, it should not be assumed that every mole is a potential cancer growth site, since in 80% of cases skin cancer develops in an area of \u200b\u200bnormal and intact skin, on which there are no nevi. And only in 20% of cases, skin cancer develops as a result of malignancy of a mole. That is, a mole does not necessarily degenerate into cancer, moreover, this happens quite rarely, and therefore it is not worth treating each nevus as a future potential malignant tumor.
Moles - photo
These photographs show congenital moles.
This photo shows a nevus of Ota.
These photographs show various variants of pigmented moles.
This photo shows a "scattered" nevus.
This photo shows a halonevus (Setton's nevus).
This photo shows a blue (blue) mole.
This photograph shows a Spitz (Spitz) nevus.
This photo shows blue (Mongolian) spots.
Types of moles
Currently, there are several classifications of moles that distinguish different types and groups of nevi. Most often in practical medicine, two classifications are used: the first is histological, based on which cells the mole is formed from, and the second divides all nevi into melanoma-dangerous and melanoma-safe. Melanoma-dangerous are moles, which, theoretically, are capable of degenerating into skin cancer. And melanoma-safe are, respectively, those moles that under no circumstances degenerate into skin cancer. Consider both classifications and each type of moles separately.According to the histological classification, moles are of the following types:
1.
Epidermal-melanocytic moles (formed by epidermal cells and melanocytes):
- Borderline nevus;
- epidermal nevus;
- Intradermal nevus;
- Complex nevus;
- Epithelioid nevus (Spitz nevus, juvenile melanoma);
- Setton's nevus (halonevus);
- Nevus from balloon-forming cells;
- Papillomatous nevus;
- Fibroepithelial nevus;
- Verrucous nevus (linear, warty);
- Nevus sebaceous glands(sebaceous, seborrheic, Yadasson's nevus).
- Mongolian spots (spot of Genghis Khan);
- Nevus of Ota;
- Nevus Ito;
- Blue nevus (blue nevus).
- Dysplastic nevus (atypical, Clark's nevus);
- Pink melanocytic nevus.
- Combined nevus;
- Congenital nevus.
Border nevus
The border nevus is formed from a cluster of cells located on the border of the dermis and epidermis. Outwardly, it looks like a flat, slightly raised formation or just a spot on the skin, painted in dark brown, dark gray or black. Sometimes concentric rings are visible on the surface of the nevus, in the area of which the color intensity changes. The size of the borderline nevus is usually small - more than 2 - 3 mm in diameter. This type of mole is prone to degeneration into cancer, so they are considered dangerous.Epidermal nevus
An epidermal nevus is formed from a cluster of cells located in the surface layer of the skin (epidermis), and looks like a regular-shaped elevation, painted in various colors, from pinkish to dark brown. This type of mole can in rare cases degenerate into cancer, therefore it is considered potentially dangerous.Intradermal nevus
An intradermal nevus is formed from a collection of cells located in the deep layer of the skin (dermis). Externally, the nevus is a hemisphere, slightly rising above the surface of the skin and painted in dark shades - from brown to almost black. The size of an intradermal nevus is usually about 1 cm in diameter. This type of mole can degenerate into cancer in.Nevus of the sebaceous glands (sebaceous, seborrheic, nevus of Yadasson)
The nevus of the sebaceous glands (sebaceous, seborrheic, nevus Yadasson) is a convex flat spot with a rough surface, painted in various shades of brown. A sebaceous nevus is formed in children due to a violation of the normal growth of various skin tissues. The causes of growth disorders of different skin tissues have not been elucidated, respectively, the exact causative factors of the sebaceous nevus are also unknown. Such nevi are formed during fetal development, and appear on the skin of a child 2 to 3 months after birth. As the child develops, the sebaceous nevi grow, increase in size and become more and more prominent. Despite constant growth throughout life, Yadasson's nevus never transforms into cancer, so this type of mole is considered safe.
If a nevus bothers a person from a cosmetic point of view, then it can be easily removed. In this case, it is optimal to remove the mole after the child reaches the age of puberty.
Complex nevus
A complex nevus is a mole consisting of cells of the dermis and epidermis. Outwardly, a complex nevus looks like a small tubercle or a group of closely spaced tubercles.Epithelioid nevus (Spitz nevus, juvenile melanoma)
An epithelioid nevus (Spitz's nevus, juvenile melanoma) is a mole that is similar in structure to melanoma. Despite the similarity of the structure, Spitz's nevus is not a melanoma, it almost never becomes malignant, but its presence indicates a relatively high risk of skin cancer in this person.This type of mole usually appears in children under 10 years of age and grows quite quickly, increasing to 1 cm in diameter within 2 to 4 months. Spitz nevus is a convex formation of red-brown color and rounded shape with a smooth or bumpy surface.
Setton's nevus (halonevus)
Setton's nevus (halonevus) is a common brown mole surrounded by a wide rim of skin of a lighter shade compared to the color of the rest of the skin surface. Setton's nevi appear in people under 30 years of age.Over time, such a mole may decrease in size and become lighter, or completely disappear. After the disappearance of Setton's nevus, a white spot usually remains in its place, which persists for a long time - several months or even years.
These nevi are safe because they do not degenerate into cancer. However, people who have Setton's nevi on the skin have an increased tendency to autoimmune diseases, such as vitiligo, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, etc. In addition, a number of studies have found that the appearance of a large number of Setton's nevi is a sign of the development of skin cancer in some area of the skin.
Nevus from ballooning cells
A nevus of balloon-forming cells is a brownish spot or tubercle with a thin yellow rim. This type of mole very rarely degenerates into cancer.Mongolian spot
The Mongolian spot is a single spot or a group of spots on the sacrum, buttocks, thighs, or back of a newborn baby. The spot is painted in various shades of blue, has a smooth surface and slightly rises above the skin. The Mongolian spot develops due to the fact that the pigment produced by melanocytes is located in the deep layer of the skin (dermis), and not, as is normal, in the epidermis.Nevus of Ota
Nevus Ota is a single spot or a group of small spots on the skin, painted in blue. Spots are always located on the skin of the face - around the eyes, on the cheeks or between the nose and upper lip. Nevus Ota is a precancerous disease, as it tends to degenerate into skin cancer.Nevus Ito
The nevus of Ito looks exactly the same as the nevus of Ota, but is localized on the skin of the neck, above the collarbone, on the scapula, or in the region of the deltoid muscle. This type of nevi also refers to precancerous diseases.Blue nevus (blue mole)
A blue nevus (blue nevus) is a type of epidermal mole in which melanocytes produce a blue-black pigment. The nevus looks like a dense nodule, colored in various shades of gray, dark blue or black, and can be from 1 to 3 cm in diameter.Blue nevus, as a rule, is located on the back surfaces of the hands and feet, on the lower back, sacrum or buttocks. A mole is constantly growing slowly and is prone to degeneration into cancer, therefore it is considered dangerous. A blue nevus should be removed as soon as possible after it is identified.
Dysplastic nevus (atypical, Clark's nevus)
Dysplastic nevus (atypical, Clark's nevus) is a single spot or a group of closely spaced round or oval spots with jagged edges, painted in light shades of brown, reddish or light red. In the center of each spot there is a small part protruding above the surface of the skin. An atypical nevus is larger than 6 mm. In general, moles are considered dysplastic if they have at least one of the following characteristics:
- Asymmetry (the mole has unequal contours and structure on different sides of the line drawn through the central part of the formation);
- Rough edges or uneven coloring;
- Size over 6mm;
- A mole is not like all the others on the body.
Papillomatous nevus
A papillomatous nevus is a type of ordinary epidermal mole, the surface of which consists of irregularities and outgrowths resembling appearance cauliflower.A papillomatous nevus always rises above the surface of the skin and consists of individual tubercles, colored brownish or pinkish in color and looking very unpleasant. When touched, the mole is soft and painless.
Despite the ugly appearance, papillomatous nevi are safe because they never degenerate into skin cancer. However, outwardly, these moles can be confused with malignant neoplasms of the skin, therefore, in order to distinguish such a nevus from cancer, a histological examination of a small piece taken using the biopsy technique should be performed as soon as possible.
Fibroepithelial nevus
Fibroepithelial nevus is very common and is a common epidermal mole, in the structure of which there are a large number of connective tissue elements. These moles have a round, convex shape, varying sizes, and are reddish, pinkish, or light brown in color. Fibroepithelial nevi are soft, elastic and painless, slowly growing throughout life, but almost never degenerate into cancer, and therefore are harmless.Pink melanocytic nevus
A pink melanocytic nevus is a common epidermal mole that is colored in various shades of pink or light red. Such moles are typical for people with very fair skin, because their melanocytes produce a pink pigment, not brown.Combined nevus
A combined nevus is a mole consisting of elements of a blue and a complex nevus.Verrucous nevus (linear, warty)
Verrucous nevus (linear, warty) is a spot of an elongated, linear shape, painted in a dark brown color. This type of mole consists of normal cells, and therefore they almost never transform into skin cancer. Therefore, verrucous nevi are removed only when they create a visible and uncomfortable cosmetic defect. The causes of verrucous moles have not been established, but in most cases they are congenital. As a rule, these moles appear 2 to 3 months after birth or during the first 5 years of a child's life. Along with the growth of the child, the verrucous mole may increase slightly in size and darken, and also becomes more convex.
Congenital nevus (congenital mole)
A congenital nevus is a benign neoplasm that develops in a child some time after birth. That is, the causes of this type of moles are laid during fetal development, and the nevus itself is formed after the birth of the child.Congenital moles can have a different shape, size, edges, color and surface. That is, a mole of this species can be round, oval or irregular in shape, with clear or blurred edges, with a color that varies from light brown to almost black. The surface of a congenital mole can be smooth, warty, papular, folded, etc.
Congenital and acquired moles are almost indistinguishable in appearance. However, congenital moles are always larger than 1.5 cm in diameter. Sometimes such a nevus can be gigantic - more than 20 cm in diameter, and occupy the surface of the skin of an entire anatomical region (for example, chest, shoulder, neck, etc.).
All of the above nevi (moles) are also divided into two large groups, such as:
1.
Melanoma moles.
2.
Melanoma-safe moles.
Melanoma-dangerous moles are considered precancerous diseases, since they are the most often among all nevi that degenerate into malignant skin tumors. Therefore, they are recommended to be removed as soon as possible after they are identified. Melanoma-safe moles almost never degenerate into cancer, therefore they are considered safe, as a result of which they are removed only if there is a desire to eliminate a cosmetic defect associated with their presence on the skin.
Melanoma-prone moles include the following types:
- Blue nevus;
- Borderline nevus;
- Congenital giant pigment virus;
- Nevus of Ota;
- Dysplastic nevus.
Red moles
A mole that looks like a small and convex red dot is a senile angioma. These angiomas are completely safe because they never turn into skin cancer. If the red mole is larger than the dot, then this formation may be a Spitz nevus, which in itself is safe, but is evidence that a person has an increased risk of skin cancer.
A red or pink bumpy mole in people over 45 can be a symptom of the early stages of skin cancer.
If the existing red mole does not grow, does not itch or bleed, then this is either a senile angioma or a Spitz nevus. If the mole actively increases in size, itches, bleeds and causes inconvenience, then, most likely, we are talking about initial stage skin cancer. In this case, you should immediately contact an oncologist who will conduct the necessary examinations and prescribe treatment.
hanging moles
By the term "hanging" moles, people usually mean some kind of formation that looks like a nevus, but is not tightly attached to the skin with a wide base, but, as it were, hanging on a thin leg. Such "hanging" moles can be the following formations:- Acrochordons- small skin-colored growths, usually located in the armpits, inguinal folds, on the neck or on the trunk;
- Convex growths of various sizes, painted in dark or flesh colors and having a smooth or bumpy surface, may represent epidermal nevi or keratosis.
If the "hanging" mole turned black and became painful, then this indicates its torsion, malnutrition and blood supply. Usually, soon after blackening and the development of soreness, the "hanging" mole disappears. Such an event is not dangerous and does not provoke the growth of new similar moles. However, in order to ensure optimal healing of the skin and remove, if necessary, blood clots or remnants of dead tissue, you should consult a doctor after falling off the "hanging" mole.
If at some point a person has a lot of acrochordons ("hanging" moles), then he should take a blood test for glucose concentration, since such an event is often a sign of developing. That is, from the point of view of skin cancer, the appearance of a large number of "hanging" moles is not dangerous, but this indicates the development of another serious disease.
big mole
Moles are considered large if their largest size is more than 6 mm. As a rule, such large moles are safe, provided that their structure does not change and the size does not increase over time. Only large, dark-colored (gray, brown, black-purple) moles are dangerous, as they can degenerate into melanoma (skin cancer).However, in order to fully verify the safety of a large mole on the skin, you should consult a dermatologist who can examine it, perform dermatoscopy and take a biopsy. Based on the manipulations performed, the doctor will be able to accurately determine the histological type of the mole and, thereby, determine the degree of its danger. Such an examination will allow a person to make sure that the mole he has is safe and, thereby, provide peace of mind in the future, which is very important for an acceptable quality of life.
Lots of moles
If a person has a lot of moles within a relatively short period of time (1 - 3 months), then he should definitely consult a dermatologist to determine what type of nevi belong to. In the vast majority of cases, the appearance of a large number of moles is not dangerous, since it is a skin reaction to sunburn or other factors. environment. However, in some rare cases, a large number of moles may indicate serious and serious illnesses skin or immune system, as well as malignant tumors in the internal organs.
Dangerous moles
Moles that can degenerate into cancer or look very similar to a malignant tumor are considered dangerous. If a mole is prone to cancerous degeneration, then it is actually a matter of time when it becomes not a benign, but a malignant formation. That is why doctors recommend removing such moles.If the mole is outwardly similar to cancer, as a result of which they cannot be distinguished, then it should be removed without fail and as soon as possible. After removing the mole, it is sent for a histological examination, during which the doctor examines the tissues of the formation under a microscope. If the histologist gives a conclusion that the removed mole is not cancer, then no additional therapeutic measures are needed. If, according to the conclusion of histology, the remote formation turned out to be a cancerous tumor, then you should undergo a course of chemotherapy, which will destroy the tumor cells present in the body and, thereby, prevent a possible relapse.
Currently classic The following are considered signs of a dangerous mole:
- Pain of a different nature and degree of intensity in the area of a mole;
- Itching in the area of the mole;
- Visible increase in the size of the mole in a short time (1 - 2 months);
- The appearance of additional structures on the surface of the mole (for example, crusts, sores, bulges, bumps, etc.).
In practice, doctors believe that the most accurate sign of a dangerous mole is its dissimilarity to other moles that a person has. For example, if a person has moles with uneven edges and uneven coloring, which seem dangerous, but exist for many years and do not cause concern, then a beautiful and even mole that appears among these "suspicious" nevi, which is considered completely normal according to classical criteria, will be dangerous. And, accordingly, on the contrary, if among a large number of even and regular moles one of a strange shape and uneven color appears, then this particular mole will be dangerous. This method of identifying a dangerous formation is called the ugly duckling principle.
AT general view this principle The ugly duckling, which can be used to distinguish the malignant degeneration of a mole, is that cancer is a mole that is not like the others on the body. Moreover, either a newly appeared, unusual and different mole is considered dangerous, or an old one that suddenly changed, began to grow, itch, itch, bleed and acquired an unusual appearance.
Thus, moles that have always had an unusual appearance and do not change it over time are not dangerous. But if suddenly an old mole began to actively change, or a new nevus appeared on the body, different from all the others, then they are considered dangerous. It means that moles with the following symptoms:
- Rough or blurry edges;
- Uneven coloration (dark or white spots on the surface of the mole);
- Dark or white rims around the mole;
- Black dots around the mole;
- Black or blue color of the mole;
- Asymmetry of a mole
In addition, a subjective criterion for a dangerous mole is that a person suddenly at some point begins to feel and feel it. So many people point out that they began to literally feel their mole, which began to degenerate into cancer. Many practicing dermatologists attach great importance to this seemingly biased sign, since it allows you to detect cancer at an early stage.
mole grows
Normally, moles can slowly grow up to 25-30 years, while growth processes continue throughout the human body. After the age of 30, moles usually do not increase in size, but some of the existing nevi can grow very slowly, increasing by 1 mm in diameter over several years. This growth rate of moles is normal and is not considered dangerous. But if the mole begins to grow faster, significantly increasing in size within 2 to 4 months, then this is dangerous, since it may indicate its malignant degeneration.Mole itches
If a mole or the skin surrounding it begins to itch and itch, then this is dangerous, as it may indicate a malignant degeneration of the nevus. Therefore, if itching appears in the area of the mole, it is necessary to consult a doctor as soon as possible. If the skin surrounding the mole begins to peel off with or without itching, then this is dangerous, as it may indicate an early stage of malignant degeneration of the nevus.
If the mole began not only to itch and itch, but also to grow, change color or bleed, then this is an undoubted sign of malignancy of the nevus and requires urgent medical attention.
mole bleeds
If a mole began to bleed after an injury, for example, a person scratched it, tore it, and so on, then this is not dangerous, since it is a normal reaction of tissues to damage. But if the mole bleeds for no apparent reason constantly or periodically, then this is dangerous and in such a situation it is necessary to consult a doctor.Reasons for the appearance of moles
Since moles are benign tumors, possible reasons their appearance may be various factors that provoke active and excessive division of skin cells in a small and limited area of \u200b\u200bthe skin. So, it is now believed that these possible causes of the development of moles may be the following factors:- Defects in the development of the skin;
- genetic factors;
- Ultraviolet radiation;
- Skin injury;
- Diseases accompanied by hormonal imbalance;
- Prolonged use of hormonal drugs;
- Viral and bacterial, occurring for a long time.
Genetic factors are the cause of moles that are inherited from parents to children. As a rule, any characteristic birthmarks or large moles located in strictly defined places are transmitted in this way.
UV radiation stimulates the active production of melanin, which colors the skin in a darker color (tan) and thus protects it from negative effects. solar radiation. If you are in the sun long time, then the process of intensive reproduction of melanocytes - cells that produce melanin - will start. As a result, melanocytes will not be able to be evenly distributed in the thickness of the skin and form a local accumulation that will look like a new mole.
Injuries are indirectly the causes of the formation of moles. The fact is that after an injury in an area with impaired tissue integrity, a large number of biologically active substances are formed. active substances that stimulate the regeneration process. Normally, as a result of regeneration, the integrity of tissues after an injury is restored. But if the regeneration is excessive, proceeding under the influence of a large number of biologically active substances, then the process does not stop in a timely manner, as a result of which a small amount of "extra" tissues is formed, which become moles.
Hormonal imbalance can provoke the formation of moles due to an increase in the production of melanotropic hormone. Under the influence of this hormone, the process of reproduction of melanocytes and other cells is activated, from which moles can form.
Viral and bacterial infections provoke the formation of moles due to traumatic damage to the skin that occurs locally, in the area of the infectious-inflammatory process.
Moles in children
In children, moles can appear from 2 to 3 months. Up to the age of 10, the appearance of moles in a child is considered normal and does not pose any danger. Moles that appear before 10 years old will slowly increase in size until 25 - 30 years old, while the person himself continues to grow. In all other respects, moles in a child are no different from those in adults.Moles and warts in children: risk factors and prevention of nevus degeneration into cancer, signs of malignancy, mole injuries, treatment (removal), answers to questions - video
Moles in women
Moles in women do not have any fundamental features and have all general characteristics and the properties described in the previous sections. The only feature of moles in women is that during puberty, new ones can actively appear and old ones grow. During pregnancy and lactation, moles do not undergo any fundamental changes. Therefore, if a mole begins to grow or change in any way in a pregnant woman or a nursing mother, then you should consult a doctor. Removal of moles
Removal of moles is a method of eliminating the danger associated with the likelihood of their degeneration into cancer. Therefore, moles that have a potential danger should be removed.Is it possible to remove nevi (remove moles)?
Often, wanting to remove one or more moles, people ask themselves: "Is it possible to remove these moles and will it cause any harm?" This question is logical, since at the household level there is a widespread opinion that it is better not to touch moles. However, from the standpoint of the likely development of skin cancer, the removal of any mole is completely safe. This means that the removal of a mole cannot contribute to the development of skin cancer. Therefore, you can safely remove any mole that causes discomfort or creates a cosmetic defect.Any operations to remove moles are safe, since complications during their implementation are extremely rare and, in most cases, are associated with allergic reaction for pain medication, bleeding, etc.
What moles should be removed?
Moles that look like skin cancer or have begun to change actively in recent months (grow, bleed, change color, shape, etc.) are subject to removal. Such moles should be removed as soon as possible in order to prevent possible tumor progression and the transition of malignant pathological process to more severe stages.At the same time, it is not necessary to remove all moles that are on the body and cause any suspicion of their possible malignant degeneration in the future, since this is not rational and ineffective from the standpoint of preventing skin cancer. Indeed, in most cases, skin cancer develops from a completely normal area of \u200b\u200bthe skin, and not from a mole, the malignancy of which is extremely rare. Therefore, it is not necessary to remove all suspicious moles, it is better to leave them on the body and regularly visit a dermatologist for their preventive examination.
In addition, you can remove any moles that do not satisfy a person for aesthetic reasons, that is, they create a visible cosmetic defect.
Methods for removing moles (nevi)
Currently, moles can be removed using the following methods:- Surgical removal;
- laser removal;
- Removal with liquid nitrogen (cryolysis);
- Electrocoagulation ("cauterization" by electric current);
- radio wave removal.
All other moles can be removed with a laser or liquid nitrogen, which allow the manipulation to be carried out as carefully and bloodlessly as possible.
Surgical removal
Surgical removal of a mole consists of cutting it out with a scalpel or a special tool (see Figure 1).
Picture 1- Tool for removing moles.
For the operation, the mole itself and the skin around it are treated with an antiseptic (alcohol, etc.). Then, a local anesthetic is injected into the thickness of the skin under the mole, for example, Novocaine, Lidocaine, Ultracaine, etc. Then, incisions are made on the sides of the mole, through which it is removed. When using a special tool, it is installed above the mole and immersed deep into the skin, after which the cut tissue area is removed with tweezers.
After removal of the mole, the edges of the wound are pulled together with 1-3 sutures, treated with an antiseptic and sealed with a plaster.
Laser removal
Laser mole removal is the evaporation of a nevus with a laser. This method is optimal for removing superficial age spots. Laser removal of moles provides minimal tissue trauma, as a result of which the skin heals very quickly and a scar does not form on it.Removal with liquid nitrogen
Removal of a mole with liquid nitrogen is the destruction of a nevus under the influence of low temperature. After the mole is destroyed by liquid nitrogen, it is removed from the tissues with tweezers or cut out with a scalpel. The method of removing a mole with liquid nitrogen is not easy, since it is impossible to control the depth of tissue destruction. That is, if the doctor retains liquid nitrogen on the skin for too long, this will lead to the destruction of not only the mole, but also the surrounding tissues. In this case, a large wound will form, which is prone to prolonged healing and scarring. Electrocoagulation
Electrocoagulation of a mole is its destruction with the help of an electric current. This method is commonly referred to as "cauterization". Many women are familiar with the essence of this method if they have ever "cauterized" cervical erosion.Radio wave mole removal
Radio wave mole removal is an excellent replacement for the surgical method, which is more traumatic. Radio wave removal of a mole is as effective as surgical removal, but less traumatic. Unfortunately, this method is rarely used due to the lack of the necessary equipment.Moles (nevi): causes of appearance, signs (symptoms) of degeneration into skin cancer, diagnosis (dermatoscopy), treatment (removal), prevention of malignancy - video
Moles (nevi): signs of dangerous and non-dangerous moles, risk factors for degeneration into cancer, methods for diagnosing and removing moles, doctor's advice - video
Mole removal by radio wave surgery - video
Removed mole
A few hours after the removal of the mole, pain of varying degrees of intensity may appear in the wound area, due to a violation of the integrity of the skin structures. These pains can be stopped by taking drugs from the group of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as Paracetamol, Nurofen, Nimesulide, Ketorol, Ketanov, etc.The wound itself does not require any special care or treatment until the sutures are removed, which is done on days 7-10. After that, to accelerate healing and prevent scar formation, it is recommended to lubricate the wound with Levomekol, Solcoseryl or Methyluracil ointments.
Until the wound heals completely, so as not to provoke inflammation, infection and the formation of a rough scar, the following rules should be followed:
- Do not apply cosmetics to the wound;
- Do not tear or wet the crust;
- Cover the wound with a cloth or band-aid from exposure to sunlight.
In rare cases, the wound after the removal of the mole may become inflamed due to the ingress of pathogenic bacteria into it, which will lead to longer healing and scar formation. Signs of an infection are as follows:
- wound inflammation;
- The pain in the area of the wound became stronger;
- Pus in the area of the wound;
- Dispersed edges of the wound.
In rare cases, the sutures may diverge, as a result of which the edges of the wound diverge to the sides and slowly grow together. In such a situation, you should consult a doctor so that he puts in new stitches or pulls the existing ones tighter.
Moles on the human body are a natural phenomenon.
You should not be afraid of their appearance, but you need to constantly and closely monitor the development of nevi.
This requirement is due to the fact that there are good and bad moles that can cause negative consequences.
- All information on the site is for informational purposes and is NOT a guide to action!
- Give you an ACCURATE DIAGNOSIS only DOCTOR!
- We kindly ask you DO NOT self-medicate, but book an appointment with a specialist!
- Health to you and your loved ones!
To distinguish between nevi that can harm your health, you need to know everything about the types of neoplasms and the signs of their degeneration.
This is especially true for those who have a lot of them.
Kinds
Moles are classified according to many distinctive features.
The most common distinction is the division of nevi into congenital and acquired.
More detailed classification - by size:
- small no more than 1.5 centimeters in diameter, there can be a lot of them on the body, face, limbs;
- medium - from 1.5 to 10 centimeters;
- large - more than 10 centimeters;
- giant - extensive in area.
According to the location, the following types of nevi are distinguished:
- epidermal, that is, arising in the surface layer of the skin - the epidermis;
- intradermal - formed in the dermis itself, in the depths of the skin;
- boundary - between the epidermis and dermis.
Each of these moles is a cluster of melanocytes, that is, pigment-containing cells.
They may not pose a danger, but may have signs and prerequisites for rebirth.
According to the internal structure, nevi can be vascular and non-vascular.
- Vascular are usually single and have a red, brown, bluish-brown color.
- There are several non-vascular moles at once.
When a lot of nevi are concentrated in one place, then the person begins to show anxiety. He is interested in the question, if there are many moles, is it good or bad? Doctors have only one answer to it: the main thing is that they are safe.
According to the form of neoplasms are divided into several subgroups:
- flat surface;
- lentigo;
- convex;
- blue;
- pigmented giant;
- dysplastic.
Reasons for rebirth
In order for good moles to be reborn, negative factors affecting them must be activated.
- A provocation of the dangerous development of nevi is ultraviolet rays.
- If there are a lot of moles, this is bad, because there is an additional risk of getting cancer. Usually, more than fifty nevi are considered dangerous; they can be on the face and other parts of the body. The total number of moles includes dark spots and even freckles.
- Bathing in the sea in the heat also causes the rebirth of nevi. In this case, the effect of solar radiation through refraction in salt crystals is enhanced.
- Constant trauma to the nevus leads to its inflammation, and then to oncology.
- The influence of an unhealthy environmental background can also activate the change in a mole. Doctors say that this provokes the formation of cancer cells.
- Childhood and pregnancy are periods of active growth of moles due to a hormonal surge in the body. Women often think , if nevi appear, is it good or bad for the unborn baby? Safe nevi do not affect the health of the mother and fetus, and bad moles can harm the health of a woman, which can also affect the embryo.
- The presence of nevi in traumatic places is a very common reason for the onset of the degeneration of a neoplasm. First of all, determine for yourself these areas in children, you will find photos of such areas on the Internet.
What is the difference between bad moles and good ones?
No one knows in advance what a mole that has appeared on the body will bring, whether its formation will have a good or bad effect on health.
How to distinguish a good mole and not panic?
Here are some expert tips on this:
- a good mole is not large;
- she has a clear outline;
- its tissue is homogeneous;
- the color scheme can be different from light to dark and even black shades, the main color should not change.
The combination of these principles is concentrated in the ABCDE rule (asymmetry + borders + color + diameter + transformation dynamics).
But only a doctor can make a conclusion about the benignity and malignancy of a mole.
Therefore, if the mole is black, it is not necessarily dangerous, black nevi are also good.
According to the ABCDE formula, dangerous moles are also determined, additional signs of a malignant mole are:
- mature age of appearance;
- change in color, size and shape;
- seals, expressions, peeling, bleeding on the body of the mole;
- the disappearance of the contours of the dermo pattern on the mole;
- the appearance of shine (gloss) or roughness on the surface of the nevus;
- wetting of the surface or a halo of hyperemia around the mole or nodules on it.
What does dangerous look like?
Based on the listed signs of the difference between good and dangerous moles, we can conclude about the appearance of the latter.
- They have changed color, shape and surface structure. A malignant mole has broken symmetry, one part is larger than the other.
- A dangerous nevus does not have a clear outline, the boundaries can blur.
- The color palette of a dangerous mole can be very diverse, absolutely different in tone, which is not typical for a benign nevus.
- The large size of the mole is also a bad sign.
- If the nevus smells bad and looks suspicious, then you should immediately show it to the doctor.
- If the hair growing in the nevus falls out, is it good or bad, there should be no question. This signal says that the mole is becoming dangerous.
When asked what to do when a mole smells, the doctor will answer that you should not self-medicate and eliminate the smell with flavors, perfumes, and so on.
It is necessary to immediately examine the nevus and determine the cause of the problem.
If moles look bad in older people, then the risk of melanoma, a malignant nevus, increases many times over.
This is facilitated by insufficient resistance of the body and flabbiness of the skin.
Knowing what signs dangerous moles have, it is possible to determine the beginning of their malignant degeneration in time, and to cure melanoma at an early stage.
If there are a lot of moles on the body, this is unlikely to end well.
Despite the assertion of fortune-tellers that the meaning of moles on a woman’s body often determines her happy fate, you need to monitor them and, if necessary, remove them.
A photo
Diagnostics
The main system for diagnosing moles is the result of an examination with digital equipment.
- The procedure is called epiluminescent video dermatoscopy. The device enlarges the nevus up to 200 times, which allows you to take a detailed photo of the tissues of the mole. Based on this examination, the state of the nevus is compared during the subsequent examination with the result of the previous one. This allows you to monitor the dynamics of its changes.
- The definition according to the ABCDE formula complements and refines the survey.
- In addition, a histological examination of dangerous moles is carried out. If the mole was removed, the histology of the material is done without fail. Next, doctors determine the course of treatment for the patient and decide what to do if the histology is positive. As a rule, additional examinations of the lungs, liver and other organs are prescribed. For example, a brain scan if the tumor is located on the head. Oral cavity and nearby organs are examined for melanoma on the lips, photos of such dangerous moles can be seen on the Internet.
Video: “Dangerous moles! Is it worth removing and how to recognize melanoma in time?
Signs of melanoma
Symptoms of melanoma are pronounced and hidden, signs are primary and secondary.
- Among the first signals are a change in the shape, size and color of the nevus, as well as unpleasant sensations in the area of the mole - itching, bleeding, roughness, burning, swelling of the surrounding area, the appearance of new pigments around the nevus.
- Secondary symptoms are more serious. This is the appearance of bleeding from a mole and pain.
- Metastasizing melanoma is characterized by the appearance of a cough, subcutaneous nodes and seals, enlarged lymph nodes, violations of the integrity of the skin in different places.
Treatment
Melanoma is treated in many ways.
- A malignant mole is surgically removed, its excision or deep removal of the tissues of the nevus itself and around it is done.
- A more gentle way is laser treatment.
It should be borne in mind that after removal, the wound heals slowly, especially for surgical intervention.
The hardware technology is characterized by a shorter recovery period and minor consequences of removal.
There are practically no traces on the body and face.
Chemotherapy and radiation are used to prevent recurrence of tumor development.
In order to choose a method of treatment, look at the reviews, how the removal ended and how many satisfied and healthy patients were after the operation. Such entries are in the journals of any clinic, as well as on the Internet. The price for operations in Moscow is affordable.
The cost of removing moles in prestigious clinics in Moscow
Prevention
To prevent the degeneration of a mole into a malignant one, it is necessary to monitor its development and consult a doctor if there are any signs of a change.
In addition, you need to protect yourself from sunburn, injuries, do not cauterize bleeding moles with iodine and use folk remedies only in consultation with the doctor.
Video: “Mole removal. Fast and painless"
Dangerous moles are quite common. That is why it is very important to be able to distinguish them from ordinary benign pigmented formations that do not pose any danger to human health. Benign moles medically known as nevi. They can be convex or flat. Nevi also differ in color. On the human body, moles can be found from a reddish tint to black.
1 What can cause the formation of a dangerous mole?
Nevuses do not pose a danger to humans. However, under the influence of various factors, a mole can very quickly and easily begin to degenerate into a malignant formation. In this case, doctors diagnose the appearance of melanoma.
Melanoma is considered to be an aggressive malignant tumor, which is often formed at the site of an ordinary mole.
by the most common causes occurrence of the above dangerous phenomenon are:
- Abuse of sunbathing. Doctors warn that frequent exposure to the sun during the hours of its maximum activity (from 12 to 16 hours) threatens the occurrence of melanomas. The ideal time for sunbathing is in the morning (before 11:00) or in the afternoon (after 16:00). Also, do not forget to use special cosmetics that will save the skin from the harmful effects of a high dose of ultraviolet radiation.
- Nevus injury. It is for this reason that a mole often degenerates into a dangerous melanoma. If for any reason the mole has been injured, you should not delay a visit to the doctor. The consequences can be very severe.
- Hormonal changes. Such changes in the human body occur during pregnancy and during puberty. It is at this time that it is especially important to monitor all changes in the body.
- Constant friction and pressure on the mole. Wearing too tight clothes can cause the development of the above phenomenon. Tight belts, rough shirt collars, and tight bra straps can cause dangerous moles.
- Very fair skin and hair.
- A large number of moles on the body, most of which are quite large (more than 6 mm).
- One of the next of kin has skin cancer.
2 What should you pay attention to?
How to identify a malignant mole? It will not be difficult to recognize melanoma if you carefully monitor all the changes that occur on the skin. There are 5 main signs of the degeneration of a nevus into melanoma.
- Asymmetry - it is this factor that should be paid attention to in the first place. Normally, a mole should be symmetrical. Symmetry is easy to check. You just need to draw an imaginary axis along the center of the neoplasm. If both of its parts are the same, then there is no point in sounding the alarm. If significant asymmetry is found, then you should make an appointment with a doctor as soon as possible.
- It is imperative to pay attention to the edges of the nevus - bad moles are uneven with wavy or jagged edges. You can also determine a bad neoplasm by its color - doctors advise you to follow it very carefully. Normally, it should not change. If the nevus suddenly began to change its color, then this is often a sign of the degeneration of a mole into a malignant formation.
Not only changes in the color of the nevus should alert a person. A bad sign is a change in its size. Experts advise paying attention to the fact that the larger the size of the neoplasm, the greater the risk of developing melanoma. Very dangerous nevi, the size of which exceeds 6 mm.
Various changes - malignant moles easy to distinguish from normal, if you look closely at their appearance. Melanomas tend to be cracked, flaky, crusty, bleed, or change in texture. From this we can draw the following conclusion: any changes are a bad sign and should alert a person.
It can be concluded that it is quite simple to understand which moles are dangerous if you are attentive to your body. If at least one sign of all of the above is found, then you should not delay contacting a specialist. Melanomas respond well to early treatment. At the beginning of rebirth malignant neoplasms are superficial with no metastases.
3 Diagnostics
Complete degeneration of the mole may not happen if the development of melanoma is diagnosed in time. The patient will not be able to independently determine the appearance of a "bad" mole. Even an experienced specialist needs special devices and chemical analyzes to make a correct diagnosis.
Dermoscopy - the doctor examines the nevus with a dermatoscope. Currently, microdermatoscopy is very popular. During this procedure, a kind of digital photo of the mole is taken, which is subsequently processed using a computer program. Based on the results obtained, the machine makes a diagnosis.
The degeneration of a mole will help determine the histological analysis - if the doctor cannot give a clear answer, the patient is sent for histology.
Doctors never take part of a mole for analysis until it is completely removed. A biopsy is often the cause of the degeneration of the remnants of a nevus into melanoma.
4 Surgery
If a malignant tumor appears on the body, doctors usually perform surgery. During the operation, the specialist carefully cuts out the melanoma with a scalpel. It is surgical intervention that allows you to remove the tissues of a bad mole, located in the deep layers of the skin.
You should not worry about painful sensations, because before the start of the operation, doctors do local anesthesia. The most commonly used is lidocaine. As soon as the anesthetic begins to act, the specialist makes identical cuts on the sides of the melanoma with the scalpels. The area of skin between these incisions is then removed. It remains only to suture and cover the wound with a clean bandage.
You should not relax even after malignant moles are removed. It is very important to monitor the postoperative wound. Be sure to consult a doctor if the wound is very sore, inflamed, or pus has appeared in it. Such changes indicate the addition of an infection. In this case, additional treatment is required.
It is also necessary to run to the doctor if the seams have parted, and the edges of the wound have begun to lag behind each other. The specialist will simply apply new stitches.
The stitches are usually removed after 7-10 days. It takes about 2-3 weeks for the wound to heal completely. So that after healing there is no rough scar on the skin, doctors, as a rule, prescribe special gels based on hydrocolloid substances to the patient.
5 Preventive measures
To avoid signs of the development of melanoma, it is necessary to adhere to a number of simple preventive measures. As mentioned above, first of all, you need to choose the right time for tanning. We must try to spend as little time as possible under the scorching sun. After swimming in the pond, you need to dry yourself thoroughly with a towel. The thing is that the droplets of water left on the body after bathing act on sunny days like lenses, which several times increase the bad effect of insolation.
Only comfortable clothing should be worn that will not pinch any part of the body. You need to be very careful with convex moles. They are very easy to hurt. No less careful should be treated with moles that are located on the scalp. They are not visible, so sometimes traumatization is quite difficult to avoid. In this case, experts advise using a comb with soft teeth.
Although over the years some folk recipes were considered effective means in the fight against melanoma, it is not worth being treated at home. What moles are considered dangerous, only the attending physician can say. That is why it is impossible to self-diagnose or self-medicate. Do not forget that melanomas are very dangerous to health. Untimely or incorrect treatment can lead to death.
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