Telling whether an odd looking mole is a melanoma is a real challenge. In fact, the only sure way to know is with a biopsy. But, before you get them all cut out, there are signs and symptoms that can help you and your doctor to make the right decision.

According to the National Cancer Institute there are three main kinds of moles you need to know about: a common mole, a dysplastic mole, and a melanoma. 

What is a common mole?

A common mole is a small growth on the skin usually found above the waist on areas exposed to the sun, and rarely found on the scalp, breast, or buttocks. If you have more than 50 common moles you have a greater chance of developing melanoma. That said, most common moles do not turn into melanoma.

What do they look like?

They are usually smaller than about 5 millimeters wide, just less than the width of a pencil eraser. They are round or oval, have a smooth surface with a distinct edge, and can be dome-shaped. They usually have an even pink, tan, or brown colour. People who have dark skin or hair tend to have darker moles than people with fair skin or blonde hair. Below are a few photos of common moles: 

A common mole is 1 millimetre in diameter.

This common mole is 2 millimetres in diameter.
This common mole is about 5 millimetres in diameter.
(source: cancer.gov)

What is a dysplastic mole?

dysplastic mole is an unusual mole that is often large and flat and does not have a symmetric round or oval shape.  It is usually more than 5 millimeters wide. The edge is often indistinct. It may have a mixture of pink, tan, or brown shades. People who have many dysplastic moles have an increased chance of developing melanoma. Again, most dysplastic moles do not turn into melanoma. Some examples are shown below: 

This dysplastic nevus has a raised area at the center that doctors may call a “fried egg” appearance.
(source: cancer.gov)

This dysplastic mole has a raised area at the center that doctors may call a “fried egg” appearance.

 

This dysplastic nevus is more than 5 millimeters in diameter.
(source: cancer.gov)

This dysplastic mole is more than 5 millimeters in diameter.

 

This dysplastic mole is more than 10 millimetres in diameter.
(source: cancer.gov)

This dysplastic mole is more than 10 millimetres in diameter.

Dysplastic moles can occur anywhere on the body, and although are usually seen in areas exposed to the sun, they can occur on unexposed areas.  People with dysplastic moles usually also have a large number of common moles. There is a risk that a dysplastic mole could turn into a melanoma, but most don’t and remain stable over time. However, according to statistics, the risk of melanoma is over 10 times greater for those with more than five dysplastic moles. If you have dysplastic moles doctors recommend checking once a month for any changes, and for people with over 5, they should be photographed every 3 months. A photograph is the best way to check for change in a mole.

What is a melanoma?

Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that begins in melanocytes. It spreads quickly and the earlier that melanoma is detected and removed, the more likely that treatment will be successful. A melanoma can develop from an existing mole, or appear as a new lesion. If the colour, size, shape, or height of a mole changes or if it starts to itch, bleed, or ooze, you should tell you doctor.  In men melanoma is often found on the head, neck, or back. In women, it is found on the back or lower legs.

People with dark skin are much less likely than people with fair skin to develop melanoma. When it does develop in people with dark skin, it is often found under the fingernails, under the toenails, on the palms of the hands, or on the soles of the feet.

What does melanoma look like?

The first sign of melanoma is a often change in the shape, colour, size, or feel of an existing mole. Melanoma can also appear as a new mole.

The best way to identify a melanoma is to know whether it has changed.Which is what we do here at Skin Analytics. But if you’re worried about a particular mole right now, you should not wait till it changes.

The best way to tell if you need to see the doctor, is to use the ABCDEs of melanoma:

      • Asymmetry. The shape of one half does not match the other half.

      • Border that is irregular. The edges are often ragged, notched, or blurred in outline. The pigment may spread into the surrounding skin.

      • Colour  is uneven. Shades of black, brown, and tan may be present. Areas of white, gray, red, pink, or blue may also be seen.

      • Diameter. There is a change in size, usually an increase. Melanomas can be tiny, but most are larger than 6 millimeters wide (about ¼ inch wide).

      • Evolving. The mole has changed over the past few weeks or months.

    Here are some photos of melanomas. Compare them to the common moles and dysplastic moles and see if you can spot the difference using the ABCDE technique.

    Melanoma. Asymmetric, uneven border, uneven colour, diameter is 20mm
    (
    source: cancer.gov)

    Asymmetric, uneven border, uneven colour, diameter is 20mm.

    A blue-black melanoma that has irregular and scalloped borders. It has arisen from a dysplastic nevus (the pink-tan region at the upper left). The melanoma is about 12 millimetres wide.
    (source: cancer.gov)

    Asymmetric, uneven border, uneven colour, diameter is 12mm

    A dysplastic nevus with a black bump that was not there 18 months ago earlier/ The black bump is a melanoma that is about 3 millimetres wide.
    (source: cancer.gov)

    A new dysplastic mole with a black bump that was not there 18 months earlier. The black bump is a melanoma that is about 3 millimeters wide.

    A melanoma with three parts—a dark brown or black area on the left, a red bump on the right, and an area that is lighter than the skin at the top. The melanoma is about 15 millimeters wide, or about as wide as a tube of lip balm.
    (source: cancer.gov)

    A melanoma with three parts—a dark brown or black area on the left, a red bump on the right, and an area that is lighter than the skin at the top. The melanoma is about 15 millimeters wide, or about as wide as a tube of lip balm.

    In advanced melanoma, the texture of the mole may change. The skin on the surface may break down and look scraped. It may become hard or lumpy. The surface may ooze or bleed. Sometimes the melanoma is itchy, tender, or painful.

    We’ve given you a lot of information: here’s a great summary of all the important information from the National Cancer Institute. Remember, its important to check your skin regularly, melanoma is curable if you catch it early!

    Common Mole

        • Is it cancer? 
          No. Common moles rarely become cancer.

        • How many people have common moles? 
          Most American adults—about 300 million people—have common moles.

        • How big are they? 
          Usually less than 5 millimeters wide, (not as wide as a new pencil eraser).

        • What colour are they? 
          May be pink, tan, brown, black (in people with dark skin), or a colour that is very close to a person’s normal skin tone. The colour is usually even throughout.

        • What shape are they? 
          Usually round or oval. A common mole has a distinct edge that separates it from the rest of the skin.

        • What is the surface texture? 
          Begins as a flat, smooth spot on the skin. May become raised and form a smooth bump.

      Dysplastic Mole

          • Is it cancer? 
            No. A dysplastic mole is more likely than a common mole to become cancer, but most do not become cancer.

          • How many people have dysplastic moles? 
            About 1 in 10 American adults—about 30 million people—have at least one dysplastic mole.

          • How big are they? 
            Often wider than 5 millimeters (wider than a new pencil eraser).

          • What colour are they? 
            May be a mixture of tan, brown, and red or pink shades.

          • What shape are they? 
            Have irregular or notched edges. May fade into the rest of the skin.

          • What is the surface texture? 

          • May have a smooth, slightly scaly, or rough, irregular, and pebbly appearance.

        Melanoma

            • Is it cancer? 
              Yes.

            • How many people have melanoma? 
              Melanoma is much less common than other kinds of skin cancer. But every year, about 2 in 10,000 Americans—more than 70,000 people—develop melanoma. More than 800,000 Americans alive today have been diagnosed with melanoma.

            • How big are they? 
              Usually wider than 6 millimeters (wider than a new pencil eraser).

            • What colour are they? 
              Usually uneven in colour. May have shades of black, brown, and tan. May also have areas of white, gray, red, pink, or blue.

            • What shape are they? 
              Often irregular and asymmetrical (the shape of one half does not match the other half). Edges may be ragged, notched, or blurred. May fade into the rest of the skin.

            • What is the surface texture? 
              May break down and look scraped, become hard or lumpy, or ooze or bleed.

          If you have a worrying mole, book an appointment to get it check with your healthcare professional.

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