Moles

Mole, also called nevus or nevi in ​​the plural, is an increased pigmentation of the skin. The increased pigmentation is due to either increased production of the dye/pigment melanin, increased number of pigment-producing cells in the skin or a combination of these two.

Everyone has moles, and most of them are completely harmless. Moles can be present from birth, but it is more common for them to appear during the first years of life and often increase in number up to the age of 25. Moles can also occur at a later age. People with light skin colour are more prone to getting moles than those with darker skin colour. Sun exposure and heredity are important factors that play a role in the development of moles, as well as pregnancy can also increase the number of moles. There are many different types of moles, and they are divided into subgroups based on where in the skin structure they sit, and how they look and are put together.

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What is mole cancer?

Mole cancer, or malignant melanoma, occurs when pigment cells in the skin, mucous membranes or eye undergo a change that turns them into cancer cells. The name melanoma is used because the tumour originates in the skin's pigment cells (melanocytes), which produce the pigment melanin.

Melanoma is often divided into several variants:

  • Melanoma with superficial spread (Superficially spreading malignant melanoma)
  • Nodular melanoma (Nodular malignant melanoma) Melanoma on sun-exposed areas (Lentigo malignant melanoma)
  • Melanoma of the palm of the hand, sole of the foot and mucous membranes (Acral lentiginous melanoma) Melanomas without pigment (amelanotic malignant melanoma)

Occorrence of melanoma

Melanoma is the form of cancer that is increasing the most, and in Norway, a tenfold increase over the last decades is reported.

The annual incidence of melanoma in Norway is around 40 per 100,000, and the lifetime risk of developing mole cancer is around two per cent. In 2019, there were a total of 28,727 cases of mole cancer and of these, 18,824 had lived for five years or longer after the diagnosis was made. The number of new cases in Norway in 2019 was 1,202 men and 1,128 women, while in the same year, 190 men and 117 women died of melanoma.

Causes

Factors that can increase the risk of developing mole cancer are:

  • A high number of moles, more than 50
  • measuring more than 2 mm in diameter
  • Several large moles, more than 7 mm in diameter, which are uneven and of varying colours
  • If you have a close relative (parents or siblings) with mole cancer
  • A lot of sun exposure without UV protection, sunburn

What should one keep an eye on?

Moles change throughout life. They are usually flat and blend with the surrounding skin in the beginning, but over time they may slightly raise or grow out from the skin. Around the age of 45-50, individuals typically stop developing new moles. Sometimes moles can also disappear. This often happens during adolescence when the immune system attacks the cells in the mole and it disappears. A white ring often forms around the mole initially.

When it comes to moles, it is important to be aware of:

  • Changes in colour
  • Changes in colour composition (if a part of the mole has a different colour compared to the rest or if multiple colours have developed)
  • Rapid growth or asymmetric shape
  • Changes in the surface of the mole (if it becomes rougher, develop sores, or easily bleeds)
  • Itching from the mole

Mole check

Melanoma is the form of cancer that is increasing the most, and in Norway, a tenfold increase over the last decades is reported. A mole check with a doctor takes place by asking the doctor a number of questions about the mole(s). How long you've had it, whether it's changed, what changes you've noticed.

The doctor will also ask if anyone in your close family has had mole cancer and if you have been exposed to high sun exposure. The doctor will then examine the mole and look for "danger signs", or factors that may increase the risk of mole cancer. These are asymmetry, irregular demarcation, colour change, diameter greater than 6 mm, and the development of the mole. The examination usually involves the doctor using a dermatoscopy (a magnifying glass with good light and a ruler) to assess the mole. In dermatoscopy, you will be able to see small details in the mole and measure how big it is.

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When should you do a check up?

Do you experience uncertainties when moles form? See below for a checklist of when you should see a dermatologist for a consultation.

  • You get a new mole
  • A mole changes shape and colour
  • Gets bigger than before, in thickness or in width
  • Changes shape and gets uneven edges
  • Changes colour, often with brownish-black areas
  • A mole itch bleeds or forms a wound that will not heal.

Mole removing

Mole removal

The vast majority of general practitioners can remove moles, but if you are in doubt about the diagnosis, moles are very large or sitting in an unfavourable place (eg neck, face or scalp), most people tend to refer to a dermatologist.

If you have a common mole, where none of the risk factors as described above are present, it is not necessary to remove the mole. Especially if it is on the chest/stomach of younger individuals, one will be reluctant to remove it, as it can form ugly scars afterwards which can be annoying.

If an indication has been found to remove a mole, this is easily done under local anaesthesia, where the skin around the mole is anaesthetized and the doctor cuts away the mole by removing a small piece of the skin. The doctor will try to remove between 2-5 mm of the skin around the mole, in case there should be mole cancer, one always strives to get all the cells from the mole. The wound is then closed with a thread, where the stitches should sit for 10-14 days. For the first 3-4 days, it is advisable to keep the wound dry and avoid a lot of movement in the skin here.

The doctor will send the mole that was removed to the laboratory for analysis, should it turn out to be cancer cells in it, the further course of it depends on how large it was if the entire mole was removed. The doctor who removed it will contact you to inform you about further treatment.

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How Dr. Dropin can help you

At Dr.Dropin, you have the opportunity to book an appointment for the assessment of moles with both general practitioners and dermatologists. Both can evaluate the mole you are concerned about and determine if there is an indication for its removal. If there is an indication for removal, it can often be done in the same consultation if there is enough time.

The general practitioners at Dr.Dropin have extensive experience in removing moles, and they always send the mole for analysis and provide further follow-up when the results are available (usually within 3-4 weeks). If the mole is large, located in a challenging area to remove, or there is uncertainty about whether it should be removed, the general practitioner can refer you to a dermatologist.

You can also easily book an appointment directly with a dermatologist at Dr.Dropin for assessment, removal, and further treatment.

Read more about the dermatology services offered by Dr.Dropin

The market's most advanced mole check

FotoFinder at Dr.Dropin Skin - The latest in early detection of skin cancer

Dr.Dropin now has the pleasure of offering FotoFinder to all our patients. FotoFinder is one of the market's most advanced equipment for monitoring skin and moles. With the fotoFinder system, we create a digital body map of your moles, so that we can follow the development between each control and detect changes early.

Suspicious moles are examined with a video dermatoscopy. Here, the dermatologist takes enlarged images that clearly show patterns and structures in the mole, and assesses whether they should be removed or monitored further.

Read more about FotoFinder here
Iselin tester FotoFinder

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You can easily book an appointment yourself via the website or app of Dr. Dropin, and you do not need a referral in advance.


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At Dr. Dropin, you don't have to wait for several months to get an appointment with a dermatologist. Here, you can quickly get an appointment and it's easy to schedule one.


Frequently Asked Questions

Should moles be checked regularly?

  • If you have many moles, including larger ones, it is recommended to check them regularly, for example, once a year or whenever you notice a change.

Is it enough to check moles by oneself or should it be done by a dermatologist?

  • It is perfectly fine to check your moles yourself, as it allows you to have good control over any changes that may occur.

What changes/signs should I be concerned about and seek medical attention for?

  • Changes in colour, altered shape, surface changes, sores, itching, or if a mole bleeds are signs you should be aware of and seek medical attention for.

Are newly appeared moles dangerous?

  • A new mole in itself is not necessarily dangerous. Most new moles appear early in life and up to the age of 25, but they can also appear later. New moles commonly develop on areas of the skin exposed to the sun. However, if the new mole exhibits signs such as uneven colour and shape, an uneven surface, itching, the formation of sores, or bleeding, you should have it checked by a doctor.

Is there anything I can do myself to prevent getting more moles?

  • Heredity plays a significant role in the development of moles, and there is not much you can do to slow down their formation. However, sun exposure is a factor that you can control to limit the development of new moles. It is important to apply sunscreen generously and avoid getting sunburned.

References

Author: lege Martine Hallin Henriksen

Updated: 26.10.2020


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