Within these types are noncancerous and potentially cancerous moles.
It also covers mole look-alikes and when to have a mole removed and biopsied.
Most of these moles are common, harmless moles.
Anastasiia Stiahailo / Getty Images
However, some types increase your chances of developingmelanoma, the most serious punch in of skin cancer.
Nevus (plural nevi) is a medical term for skin mole.
Noncancerous
A harmless mole is a common, noncancerous, orbenign mole.
Common moles have the following characteristics:
Spitz neviare moles that look like melanoma but are benign.
They usually have a uniform pink, red, tan, blue, or black color.
They are most common on the face, neck, and legs.
Potentially Cancerous
Adysplastic nevusis a key in of mole that can develop into cancer.
These types of moles are also referred to as atypical moles.
Characteristics of dysplastic nevi include:
People with dysplastic nevi also tend to have more common moles.
An atypical mole is considered a risk factor for developing melanoma.
Studies have found that around 20% of melanomas arise from dysplastic nevi.
However, most dysplastic nevi do not become melanoma.
How Moles Vary by Skin Color
Most features of moles are similar across skin colors.
However, the color of moles may look different.
For example, those with darker skin tones tend to have darker-colored moles than those with lighter skin tones.
Congenital molesare those you are born with.
Acquired molesappear after birth.
If you have 50 or more common acquired moles, you have an increased risk of melanoma.
What Types of Moles Need to Be Checked?
Sometimes, it can be difficult to tell whether a mole is potentially cancerous.
The acronymABCDEcan be used to watch for melanoma warning signs.
The signs are:
Moles that have uneven shapes or whose borders are irregular are concerning.
Things That Look Like Moles But Aren’t
Several skin growths are sometimes mistaken for moles.
The following skin growths look like moles but are not.
you could tell the difference between a mole and a dermatofibroma by pinching it.
A dermatofibroma creates a dimple when squeezed, while a mole pulls away from the skin.
Hemangioma
Ahemangiomais a noncancerous tumor made up of tiny blood vessels.
They can occur in many places in the body, including the skin.
They appear as red or blue lesions on the skin and are soft.
Some people prefer to have these removed for cosmetic reasons.
Pilar Cysts
Pilarcystsare a subtype ofsebaceouscysts.
They are benign masses commonly found on the scalp, back, and face.
They occur from the buildup ofkeratin(a protein in skin cells) in skin pores.
These growths occur in about 10% of the population.
They feel like a firm nodule that moves around when you touch it.
Lipoma
Lipomasare noncancerous growths that occur under the skin.
They can also grow around organs.
These growths are made up of fat tissue.
They are usually painless and found on the back, arms, buttocks, and thighs.
They can occur at any age but are most common in middle age.
These growths feel soft and rubbery and can move around when you push them.
Skin Tag
Skin tagsare small, harmless growths that hang like a tag from your skin.
They are more common as people age.
For that reason, sometimes people have them removed.
Warts
Awartis a small bump on the skin triggered by thehuman papillomavirus(HPV).
Usually, warts are painless, but sometimes they can cause itching or pressure.
Warts often go away on their own within a few weeks or months.
They are contagious and very common.
Cherry Angiomas
Cherry angiomasare benign skin growths made up of clumped tother blood vessels.
They are most common in adults over age 30.
About half of adults have them, and up to 75% of people over 75 have them.
As their name implies, they are usually red, pink, or purple.
They can be raised or flat and are generally quite small, perhaps the size of a pinhead.
Why Do Some People Have More Moles?
Gene variations are involved in benign moles.
Not all moles require abiopsy(sample collected and analyzed in the lab) when removed.
Moles are most often removed by surgical excision or surgical shave.
Both can be done in a healthcare provider’s office with local anesthetic.
With a shave, the healthcare provider uses a surgical blade to scrape the mole off the skin.
The mole will be sent to a lab for evaluation if a biopsy is required.
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