How to recognize dangerous moles
We tend to treat moles lightly, naively believing that this natural feature was given to us by chance and cannot affect our health or life in any way. Yet it is certain moles that, under certain circumstances, can turn into one of the most malignant tumors – melanoma. What have we always heard about moles? “Does it bother you? Then live in peace and leave your mole alone.” This advice, widespread in the past, assured us that all moles should be left untouched – touch one and trouble will follow.
For the most part this is true – removing moles yourself can indeed lead to the most unfortunate consequences. Any mole (doctors call it a nevus) or pigmented spot is a weak point of our skin. It is these spots that melanoma chooses in 80% of cases.
Melanoma is an extremely dangerous cancer. Over the past decades, the incidence of melanoma has been rising steadily. Melanoma can develop from an existing mole or appear on skin that looks unchanged, usually without any sensations. If it is not treated in time, melanoma, like any other cancerous tumor, spreads to the lymph nodes and internal organs. A special feature of melanoma is that its cells are only weakly attached to each other, so they easily break away and are carried by the bloodstream to internal organs, where new tumor foci – metastases – develop. Skin melanoma most often appears at the age of 30–50. The main risk factors include high doses of ultraviolet radiation and injuries to moles.
Melanoma is most likely to develop in fair-skinned, light-eyed people who sunburn easily (redheads and blondes), in people with more than 20–30 moles, in those with a family history of melanoma, and in those who sunbathed improperly before the age of 30 (with sunburns). People with many pigmented spots are also at risk. If you love beach holidays so much that you simply cannot deny yourself this pleasure, follow these tips. Sun exposure is safe in the morning until 10:00 and in the evening after 17:00. Try to avoid redness and sunburn of the skin. After swimming in the sea, be sure to rinse your skin with fresh water.
Which moles are dangerous – flat or raised? Unfortunately, all of them: tiny flat moles and coin-sized “velvety” plaques are equally likely to transform. Of course, not all moles need to be removed. Only a surgeon can make the correct diagnosis, decide whether surgery is needed and remove a mole properly. Histological examination of every removed mole is mandatory! A mole should be removed if it is constantly injured. For example, a mole on the scalp is often injured by a comb and, if you dye your hair regularly, by hair dye as well. A mole should be removed if it is constantly rubbed, for example by a collar. Some people believe they can remove moles themselves by tying them off. This is a big mistake! Attempts to tie off a mole or “remove” it with celandine juice or iodine solution often only provoke its malignant transformation into melanoma.
Fortunately, melanoma can be prevented! The course of the disease includes a pre-melanoma period, that is, a benign phase of the process that precedes the malignant one. This period is quite long, and you only need to pay closer attention to yourself and not miss the first symptoms of transformation. Typical signs of the pre-melanoma period are:
- distinct pigmentation of the nevus appears, with an even color,
- the skin pattern is preserved in the area of the nevus,
- a regular oval or elliptical shape of the nevus,
- a glossy surface of the nevus,
- the mole is no more than 0.5 cm in diameter,
- no nodular papillomatous elements at the base of the nevus,
- no rapid growth, itching or tingling in the area of the nevus.
Under certain conditions, even an ordinary mole can begin to transform into a malignant form. Signs of transformation of a nevus are:
- a sharp change in pigmentation – darkening to black or, conversely, fading of the color, uneven pigmentation,
- peeling,
- disruption and/or complete loss of the skin pattern of the nevus,
- enlargement and thickening,
- cracks, ulceration, bleeding
Everyone should know their moles and pigmented spots. Any change in them poses a serious threat to your health and is a reason to see an oncologist urgently.
It is important to know that melanoma diagnosed at an early stage and then treated surgically in a specialized medical facility can be fully cured in almost all cases.