Birthmark and melanoma

Some people may develop melanoma from a mole. Moles are harmless small brown spots (pigmentation) or growths on the skin that appear in the first few decades of life in almost everyone. They can be either flat or raised, rounded or oval with symmetrical borders. Many of them are caused by sun exposure. Melanoma is one of the most dangerous forms of skin cancer, most often manifests itself as an asymmetric, multicolored or brown-black spot or an outgrowth with uneven borders that increases over time.

How to determine the transition from a mole to a melanoma

The main sign of the degeneration of a mole into a melanoma is the beginning of the growth of a stable flat pigmentation into a more elevated neoplasm. It is not necessary to focus only on color, since sometimes malignant tissue can be amelanotic, that is, without pigment (melanin). In these cases, the spot turns pink, red, or normal skin color, making it difficult to distinguish a mole from a melanoma.

However, a birthmark with uneven edges is not always a melanoma. Sometimes there are atypical moles. They are considered a precancerous condition, but they do not always lead to the development of cancer. Having determined the degree of atypicity of the mole, we can say whether it is harmless or there is a risk of degeneration into melanoma. In professional clinics, such moles are examined using a dermoscope, a hand-held magnifying device that allows you to visualize the internal structures of the skin. The doctor may also decide to remove the entire mole or part of it for analysis in the laboratory.

How to distinguish melanoma from an atypical mole

There are several tips on how to identify a melanoma or a mole. First, you should be alerted to itching, pain, spot elevation, bleeding, crusting, swelling, stable open ulcers, bluish-black color, and other features that can spread to the very edge of the mole. Secondly, make sure that you have a melanoma in front of you according to the symptoms, and not an atypical mole. The main signs of an atypical mole include:

• asymmetry – unlike ordinary moles, atypical ones are often asymmetrical (a line drawn through the middle does not divide the spot into matching halves);
• Borders – While common moles usually have well-defined, even borders, atypical species tend to have uneven or blurry edges.
• Color – common moles are most often monophonic and tan evenly along with the rest of the skin, whereas atypical moles have a non-uniform color with thin, random areas of tan that may have dark brown, red, blue or black shades.
• Atypical moles are usually larger than 6 mm in diameter, but may be smaller.

An increase or any other noticeable change in a previously stable atypical mole or the appearance of new pigmentation after 40 years should be suspicious.

How to prevent the transition from a mole to a melanoma

Melanoma can more often develop from an atypical mole, therefore, if one is found, it is urgently necessary to consult a doctor. The specialist will assess the condition of the neoplasm and will be able to safely remove it using cryosurgery or a laser.