Dangerous and non-dangerous changes in moles

Why should you know how dangerous and non-dangerous changes in moles look like? Because moles (melanocytic nevi) are found in most people, moles are of several types and can change, and some of them increase the risk of developing this type of skin cancer, such as superficial or nodular melanoma, provoked by abnormal proliferation of melanocytes - cells that produce skin pigment melanin.

Can a mole become a cancer?

To date, the question of whether a mole can become a cancer, experts answer in the affirmative.

Moreover, there is a syndrome of dysplastic (atypical) nevuses or a family melanoma syndrome that develops with multiple nevi (the presence of more than fifty birthmarks on the skin). Studies have revealed that this is due to an autosomal dominant mutation in the CDKN2A cancer suppressor gene, implicated besides malignant melanoma, and to the development of pancreatic cancer.

It is believed that only an atypical mole can become malignant, therefore, those who have more than five atypical moles, and melanoma from one of the blood relatives of the first degree (parents, brothers, sisters or children) should pay close attention to the transformation of moles . A higher risk of developing skin cancer is also experienced by people with a hereditary disease such as pigment xeroderma, in which skin cells are unable to repair the damage to their DNA.

There is a dermatological ABCDE-scale for checking maternity changes, which includes the following parameters:

• A - asymmetry (Asymmetry): the mole should be symmetrical, and if one half of the mole sharply differs from the other, this can be a pathology.
• B - Border: A normal mole has smooth edges and distinct outlines, otherwise it should alert you.
• C - color: as a rule, a normal mole is colored evenly, so splotches of spots of pink, white or dark brown color may indicate dangerous changes in the structure of its tissue.
• D - diameter (Diameter): if the birthmark is more than 6 mm across, this is not a good sign, since such moles can become even longer with time.
• E - evolution (Evolution), that is, changes in all or any of the above parameters.

It is clear that dangerous and non-dangerous changes in moles should be diagnosed by a specialist after dermoscopy of pigment lesions with suspicious features.

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Change in the number or size of moles

The change in the number of moles can be either in the direction of their increase, or (much less often) in the direction of decreasing. If there are many birthmarks in a pregnant woman, this means a change in the synthesis of not only estrogen and, but also melanocortins - hormones that stimulate the formation of melanocytes, and the enzyme of their tyrosine membranes. After pregnancy, such birthmarks may remain, but they may disappear.

In men after 55-60 years and a woman in the menopause for moles, senile non -oidal papillomas or horny keratomas (acrochordons) are often accepted, for which hyperpigmentation and rapid growth are characteristic.

The number of moles increases in most light-skinned people who spend a lot of time in the sun or in a solarium, and the excess of UV radiation is associated with an increased risk of melanoma.

In all other cases, the increase in the number of moles on the body during a relatively short time should make a person seriously think about their health and go to the dermatologist. But if there are fewer birthmarks, then these doctors are considered to be non-dangerous changes.

There may also be a change in the size of the mole. And when you observe that you have a growing mole, it is worth while to worry. After all, if the birthmark is larger than its previous size, then the melanin-containing cells multiply intensely, and this process can be malignant.

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Other dangerous changes in moles

In addition, the fact that the usual melanocytic nevus has become dysplastic may indicate:

• changing the shape of a mole;
• change of color of birthmark;
• subjective symptoms accompanying changes in moles.

Changes in the shape of the mole and its texture, which need to be paid special attention, include the loss of a rounded symmetrical shape, spreading it in the form of a spot with uneven edges (if these changes occurred with the usual mole, and no new border pigmentary nevus or lentigo, stains).

Consultation of a dermatologist is necessary:

• if the mole has become convex (that is, pre-existing flat moles have become convex over the entire surface or only in the central part, as doctors say, in the form of fried eggs);
• when the mole became rough, and its surface was covered with very small cracks and, in addition, the mole began to peel (and, possibly, the skin area on which it is located), which may be accompanied by itching;
• When the mole became firm to the touch;
• if the flat birthmark became hanging, that is, more loose, with a tuberous surface;
• in the case when the mole after shaking became shiny.

In the case of hair loss that grows from the nevus, experts have suspicions about its atypicality, but when the hair began to grow from a mole, it is usually considered a sign of its good quality. And when the birthmark has become flat, this is also not a problem for specialists.

At the same time, to adverse factors, dermatologists refer to a discoloration of the mole, that is, if:

• the birthmark became spotted (on its surface appeared inclusions of a different color);
• when there are lightly colored congenital nevi, suddenly some moles become darker, for example, if instead of a beige mole has become brown;
• the birthmark that is flat or towering above the surface of the skin has become black - in whole or in part, or the color of the mole has not changed, but around it appeared an almost black border (that is, certain shifts in the structure of melanocytes occurred);
• the convex birthmark became red (bright red) or the mole became purple, which indicates its vascularization, and this, in turn, indicates the activation of metabolism in its tissues.

About pathological processes can be talked and when the birthmark became lighter or the mole became white.

The most frequent subjective symptoms accompanying changes in moles, which in clinical dermatology and oncology are considered potentially dangerous:

• the appearance of itching of varying intensity, that is, the birthmark began to itch;
• sensation of burning in the place of localization of the melanocytic nevus;
• a feeling of discomfort (this is when a person feels the presence of a birthmark, which can not normally be);
• the mole began to hurt.

Atypical or dysplastic moles can appear on any part of the body, on the head or neck; but on the face of such birthmarks appear rarely. By the way, in skin areas that are not exposed to the sun, changes in moles are also recorded.

Most of these nevi remain stable for a long time. Researchers at the American Academy of Dermatology have estimated that the likelihood of melanoma from a modified mole is about ten times greater with five or more dysplastic nevi. At the same time, men are most likely to develop melanoma on the head, neck and back, and in women most often this type of skin cancer develops on the back or on the lower part of the legs.

Experts say that the vast majority of moles are benign, and data on the possibilities of transformation of moles to skin cancer are controversial, but it turned out that about 10% of malignant melanomas have as a precursor dangerous changes in moles.