Can you tell the difference between normal moles and melanoma moles? If you cannot, you are about to learn how to. This post explores the symptoms and signs of melanoma mole, pre melanoma moles and malignant melanoma moles. Also included are pictures of melanoma moles to help tell normal from abnormal moles.
When any cells become atypical, there is a possibility that they will develop into being cancerous. The same case applies when dealing with moles. Any sign of irregularity may be an indication that the mole is becoming malignant. This could result in melanoma which is a type of skin cancer. Melanoma is easy to discover as it starts from the skin. As such, knowing how to inspect a mole and how to recognize alarming signs is important. Read on to have facts about melanoma moles on your fingertips.
Table of Contents
Symptoms & Signs of Melanoma Mole
While not all moles turn out to be cancerous, it is important to look out for the symptoms and signs of melanoma
mole. This will help realize cancer early enough. As such, it will not have spread too much and will be easy to control. Like is always the case, the earlier the cancer cases are recognized the easier it will be to cure it without having to undergo intense procedures.
Any change in the features of a mole should not be taken lightly. To enhance the realization of any change, a monthly inspection of moles should be done. While at it, try and look out for the following changes known by the acronym ABCDEFG signs. While any of the ABCD melanoma moles symptoms are usually occur in the formative stages of the disease, any EFG sign of melanoma may be an indication that melanoma has begun spreading to nearby tissues. It is therefore important to consult a dermatologist early enough.
A: Asymmetry: If a line is drawn across or along the middle of the mole the two parts will not be similar.
B: Border: In the early stages of melanoma the borders change to being uneven. The edges become irregular.
C: Color: When a mole has different shades of color within it or is of a different color from other moles, there is a likelihood that this is a sign of melanoma in moles.
D: Diameter: When first detected and in their normal state, moles are normally not larger than the size of a pencil’s eraser which translates to 6milimeters. One of the melanoma moles symptoms is when this diameter extends in diameter and exceeds this size.
E: Elevation/Enlargement: In case a mole was in the inner parts of the skin and starts to get elevated, this could be a sign of melanoma in moles. The same applies when any other type of change such as itchiness and pain evolve on a previously normal mole. An increase in thickness indicates how deep the melanoma is. The deeper it gets the harder it will be to heal.
F: Firm/Feel: If the mole starts feeling different and is firmer than it was, that serves as a warning sign.
G: Growing: Where the mole starts to grow rapidly and increases in size, one has to be cautious as this could be a sign of melanoma.
Other signs that one has to look out for include:
- Change in the mole’s texture
- Appearance of new moles on previously clear skin and which keeps growing rapidly
- Moles that are different from others in how they look.
- Surrounding skin getting some other color
- Inflammation
- Itchy and painful mole
- Bleeding of the mole
Pictures of Melanoma Moles
See below some pictures of melanoma. The photos are based on the A, B, C, D Acronym for melanoma moles.
Pre Melanoma Moles
Pre melanoma cells are easy to treat. Most of the time, they can be removed under local anesthesia. Early melanoma can be treated by removal of the suspicious mole but if left for too long, curability decreases. Melanoma being a form of cancer affecting pigment cells has greater potential to
be life threatening than other forms of skin cancer. If not removed early enough, pre melanoma cells could spread to affect the lymphatic nodes and blood vessels.
Pre melanoma cells should not always be taken to mean that one has melanoma. However, upon discovery, there is a need for very close follow up. This will ascertain that melanoma is not just beginning to form. The doctor may decide to just keep monitoring the mole. In other cases mole removal may be recommended upon which a biopsy will be conducted. Depending on the specific circumstances surrounding the pre melanoma moles, other tests may be carried out.
Fortunately, pre melanoma moles can be recognized using the features discussed above. It is also unlike other types of cancer that start from internal organs and can therefore be detected from outside and prevented as soon as possible. The risk of getting melanoma increases with an increase in the number of pre melanoma moles. Mastering the signs and symptoms will go a long way in minimizing the risks.
Malignant Melanoma Moles
The term malignant melanoma moles refer to moles made up of cancerous cells. These tend to grow rapidly as is evidenced by their rapid increase in size and elevation. They have the ability to spread to other tissues as their growth is uncontrolled since their genetic makeup keeps on changing. Past certain development stages, malignant melanoma moles are resistant to treatment and could even return after removal. Moles which are not malignant are said to be Benign.
Malignant melanoma moles are a skin cancer originating from the melanocytes contained in a mole. It could arise as a new mole or on existing ones. If it fails to be treated on time, malignant melanoma moles develop into deeper skin layers. The condition can be cured but only if intervention is done on time. If the malignant melanoma mole has not grown deep into the inner layers control will be easy. If it gets deep, even other tissues such as the lymphatic nodes get affected and it later spreads to the rest of the body.
The causes of malignant melanoma moles are varied. The major one though is genetics. People coming from families with people who have had melanoma are likely to suffer the same. Other risk factors include having over 50 moles, sun exposure especially during childhood, presence of over five atypical moles and being fair skinned.
Further Suggested Reading
- Natural Mole Removal with Tea Tree Oil & Apple Cider Vinegar
- Mole on Scalp – Removal of Red, Pink, Black Mole on Scalp
- Home Mole Removal – Kits, Freeze & Best Products
- Enrique Iglesias Mole Removal Plastic Surgery & Before and After
- Cancerous Moles Signs, Types & Pictures of Cancerous Moles
- Moles on Skin – Causes, Black, White & Dangerous Skin Moles
- Mole Removal Surgery Cost, Recovery, Stiches & Pain
- Laser Mole Removal Cost, Before and After, Scar & Aftercare
- Raised Mole Removal on Back, Scalp & Neck (with Pictures)
- Moles on Face – How to Get Rid & Prevent Moles on Face
- Black Moles on Back, Face and Leg (with Pictures)
- Itchy Mole on Back, Arm, Leg and Chest
- What Is a Dysplastic Mole? Severe & Mild Dysplastic Moles
- Abnormal Moles Biopsy, Results and Pictures
- Precancerous Moles Meaning, Pictures & Removal
- Flat Mole Removal Cream at Home & Cost
- Mole Removal Cream Reviews for Face Flat Moles & Where to Buy
- Mole Removal Cost – How Much Does Cosmetic & Dermatologist Mole Removal Cost?
- Skin Colored Mole on Face, Nose & Scalp
- Mole Biopsy Results, Healing, Cost & Procedure
- Mole on Breast – Red, Black Moles and Meaning
- How to Remove Moles on Face, Neck with Iodine & Honey
- White Mole on Face, Head, Back & Scalp
- What are Red Moles on Scalp, Breast, Baby & Back (with Pictures)
- Painful Mole on Back, Face, Neck & Scalp
- New Moles Appearing on Body, Face & Breast Skin
- Malignant Moles Signs & Symptoms, Treatment & Pictures
- Bleeding Mole & How to Stop Bleeding Mole on Face & Head
- Raised Mole on Face, Back, Neck (with Pictures)
- Atypical Mole Syndrome, Pictures and Biopsy Results
- Hairy Mole – Why Are Moles Hairy Tailed?
- What Causes Moles to form on Skin & Face
- Different Types of Moles on Skin & Face (with Pictures)
- What Are Moles – Pictures, Signs & How Moles Look Like