have many moles,new moles ?'s - Cancer: Skin Message Board

moley · 11-13-2003, 04:42 PM

Thank you for any advice. I have many moles, a little over 100. Most are pretty small but a few are 1/4" or slightly larger. I have had 6 removed before, all benign. I am getting one removed tomorrow but my question is that I pointed out 3 new small moles (one is 1/8" the other two are smaller, that have me concerned (one looks like a fat comma , another is surrounded by extremely small dots that are very dark brown and another has irregular edges and is pink in the surrounding skin) to my dermatologist and she said they look ok. I am wondering if she looked close enough and she also said to only worry if a new mole has black in it. Should I ask to have them removed even though the doctor said they look ok and since they are small? I am worried about them but also nervous to ask to have them biopsied. Do these sound like they warrant a biopsy? Also, any advice on how to find out who is the best local dermatologist specialising in moles and skin cancer when usually I just look through the phone book? Thank you!

Saraly · 11-13-2003, 05:29 PM

I don't think I've heard that you only need to be concerned with new moles that have black in them. The advice is always to watch all moles for any changes. Does your Dermatologist specialize in skin cancer or is she more involved in cosmetic dermatology? I have found two good ways to find a good doctor. One is an internet search, the other is to call the best hospital you know of and ask for a referral to a Dermatologist who specializes in skin cancer.

froglady20 · 11-13-2003, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moley

Thank you for any advice. I have many moles, a little over 100. Most are pretty small but a few are 1/4" or slightly larger. I have had 6 removed before, all benign. I am getting one removed tomorrow but my question is that I pointed out 3 new small moles (one is 1/8" the other two are smaller, that have me concerned (one looks like a fat comma , another is surrounded by extremely small dots that are very dark brown and another has irregular edges and is pink in the surrounding skin) to my dermatologist and she said they look ok. I am wondering if she looked close enough and she also said to only worry if a new mole has black in it. Should I ask to have them removed even though the doctor said they look ok and since they are small? I am worried about them but also nervous to ask to have them biopsied. Do these sound like they warrant a biopsy? Also, any advice on how to find out who is the best local dermatologist specialising in moles and skin cancer when usually I just look through the phone book? Thank you!

What is it like getting a mole removed? Is there alot of pain involved? My mom had cancer twice because of moles, and I have alot of moles. I have a few that are abouve the skin, but they have been there since I was a kid. I now have one that is not very far up from my skin surface, but there are a few dark hairs growing out of it.

Saraly · 11-14-2003, 05:32 AM

The area around the mole or suspected BCC is first numbed with several injections so you feel nothing except a slight sting from the needle. Afterward the area is a little sore but not really painful.
The best way to check your moles is to use the ABCD method:
A asymmetry - moles should be symmetrical. Watch for any mole, new or existing that changes shape.

B border - moles should have even borders. Look for moles that have uneven or irregular borders.

C color - moles should be one uniform color. Watch for moles that have varying shades of color or have black and brown mixed. Look for black or very dark moles. Color is very critical in catching melanoma very early at a curable stage.

D diameter - most moles are very small, 6mm or less. Any mole the size of a pencil eraser or larger should be suspect.

Even if you have a mole that fits the descriptions above it does not mean it's melanoma. Your Dermatologist will examine your skin and remove any suspicious mole and send it for biopsy. Even the most experienced doctor is not sure because it's very difficult to tell the difference between an atypical or displastic nevus and a melanoma.

A body scan by a Dermatologist takes minutes and can save lives. Melanoma is CURABLE when caught early.

moley · 11-14-2003, 07:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Saraly

I don't think I've heard that you only need to be concerned with new moles that have black in them. The advice is always to watch all moles for any changes. Does your Dermatologist specialize in skin cancer or is she more involved in cosmetic dermatology? I have found two good ways to find a good doctor. One is an internet search, the other is to call the best hospital you know of and ask for a referral to a Dermatologist who specializes in skin cancer.

Thank you for your reply. The dermatologist who is removing the suspicious mole doesn't specialize in moles and skin cancer. They seem like an all around general practice--moles, skin diseases and cosmetic dermatology etc. Your advice to do an internet search and to call the best hospital for a referral is really good and I will try those suggestions. I am going to bring up the 3 small moles again today and see if she will biopsy them too. One of the frustating things is the difficulty of having some dysplastic moles and how hard it is sometimes to tell the difference between them and skin cancer. Thanks again for your advice!