A person can have an infinite number of moles on their body, among which there may be malignant moles and benign. They can appear anywhere on the body, and fortunately, most of them are harmless. They can also be very different from each other.
However, when it comes to the malignant moles, it must be taken into account that they are dangerous moles, and for this reason it is necessary to be very attentive. For this reason we tell you how to differentiate malignant moles from benign ones.
What are malignant moles?
Some people are afraid when they see a red mole on their body. So, before becoming alarmed, you must first know what malignant moles are. When talking about dangerous moles or malignant moles, also known as cancerous moles, reference is made to malignant melanomas.
These melanomas are malignant tumors that develop from melanocytes, whose main function is to produce the melanin that gives skin its color. Although malignant moles mostly appear on the skin, it is possible for them to appear in the eyes. As well as in the buccal mucosa, on the lips or even in the genital mucosa.
Before feeling afraid of a red mole, it must be taken into account that melanomas correspond to only 5% of all types of skin cancer that exist. But it produces approximately 90% of deaths that are attributed to skin cancer. Due to this, it must be identified early in order to offer treatment in advance.
How is the progression of malignant moles?
The progression of malignant moles occurs as follows:
Melanocytes that are chronically exposed to ultraviolet radiation are taking mutations. Gradually these mutations could trigger the appearance of a melanoma. After that, the cells of the malignant moles may grow superficially and uncontrollably. At this point it is already possible to detect a melanoma early.
However, if these cells are not consulted, they could invade very deep into the skin, in a procedure that may take a few months. Finally, if the cells reach the bloodstream or lymphatics, metastasis to other organs of the body is likely to occur.
What symptoms does a malignant mole bring with it?
In the early stages of malignant moles, you probably won’t have any symptoms. What’s more, they tend to be very similar to benign moles. Therefore, among the most important signs to which you must pay close attention, is the changes that these moles may have.
Dermatologists usually recommend checking the skin every month to look for new moles or irregularities. In the event that any change is detected that has been maintained over time, it is likely due to some type of skin cancer that is incipient.
What is the ABCDE of melanoma?
The ABCDEs of melanoma is a mnemonic that allows people to identify changes that exist in moles and freckles. Which could refer to the presence of a melanoma.
A is for asymmetry: When one half of a mole is completely different from the other.
B for border: To identify if the mole has borders that are irregular.
C is for color: The lesion has different shades of brown or black, in some cases it has red, pink, blue or white spots.
D for diameter: Moles are larger than 6 millimeters in diameter, but melanomas may be smaller.
E to identify evolution: The mole has changed in size, color or shape.
It is important to inform the dermatologist about any signs that are seen regarding the ABCDEs. If, for example, a change or the presence of new spots on any part of the skin is detailed, or that the moles have a different appearance, it is essential to consult a specialist.
Other signs to identify malignant moles
Identifying the presence of a possible cancerous mole is not an easy task, and not all malignant moles follow the aforementioned rules. Some of the cases that fall into these differences are:
Amelanotic melanomas: They are those that do not have a dark pigment or do not have melanin that gives color to most moles on the skin. These malignant moles can be reddish, pinkish, white, light-colored, skin-colored, or even colorless. It is because of things like this that they are difficult to recognize and even a red mole could be confused with these. Fortunately, these are quite rare cases.
Acral legitinous melanoma: This is the most common form of malignant moles in people of color. They usually appear in places that are difficult to detect. Either under the toenails or fingernails, on the soles of the feet or on the palms of the hands.
It is also good to keep in mind some tips that will be of great help in learning how to identify malignant moles. These can appear in situations such as the following:
Wounds that do not heal.
There is a spread of the black or brown pigment, starting from the edge of the spot to the surrounding skin.
There are symptoms such as sensitivity, itching or even pain on a mole.
Some changes appear in the superficial part of the mole, such as scaling, bleeding, suppuration, or a bump or lump may also appear.
Ugly duckling: a different mole from the rest can be an indication
This is a very useful sign that helps identify malignant moles. This is a recognition strategy that is based on the definition that most of the moles on the body are similar to each other. While in the case of melanomas they stand out as if they were ugly ducklings.
Practicing this technique not only shows how important it is to check for irregular moles. If not, in addition, any spot that is considered suspicious is compared with nearby moles. In order to determine if it has a different appearance from its neighbors.
These kinds of lesions, called ugly ducklings or also called atypical lesions, may be smaller, larger, darker or lighter, compared to nearby moles. Isolated moles that do not have any moles around them to compare are also considered ugly ducklings.
Is it serious to have malignant moles?
It all depends. Melanomas are malignant moles that, if detected in their advanced stages, could be fatal. Despite this, there is a 99% survival rate if the disease is detected in the early stages.
The best way to make sure that something like this happens is to perform a periodic self-exam on your skin. Or in case of having too many moles, performing a regular control with a specialist dermatologist.
Do melanomas all come from moles?
From infancy to the age of 40, the skin produces between 10 and 50 moles, which are collections of pigmented cells known as melanocytes. Generally, these moles are harmless. But there is a percentage that indicates that some melanomas come from moles.
In recent years, various studies have shown that only 26% of melanomas appear on top of moles. It is really rare for a melanoma to appear from a pre-existing mole. In a recent study it was observed that for a 20-year-old person, the risk of a mole becoming a melanoma at the age of 80 is 0.03%.
Data like this is of great importance because there are patients who ask to have their moles removed to prevent the risk of developing melanoma. However, removing moles preemptively does not decrease the chances that a malignant mole will develop.
The problem exists when a melanoma begins to develop and looks a lot like a common mole. If you have many moles and some of them have characteristics that are atypical, such as a red mole, it is best to follow up with your dermatologist.
When to see a dermatologist?
You should go to a dermatologist when you notice the presence of a freckle or a new mole on the skin. Apart from this, it is of great importance to consult a specialist if a wound has formed that does not heal, despite administering treatment. Or also when any mole has begun to change, either swell, grow or itch.
Likewise, you must make sure to identify any stain, lesion or mole, if it has an unusual appearance following the ABCDE rule or the ugly duckling. Be sure to show your dermatologist any areas of concern and ask them to look at areas that are difficult to see.
Source: Sebastian Podlipnik, enfermeriaaps and clinicalascondes.