Most people have at least a few brown spots on their skin. Most of these blemishes are totally benign. Some are freckles, some are moles and others may be skin tags or old age spots.
Moles usually are small lumps, slightly elevated above the level of the skin and darker in color than the skin. This is because they are composed of cells called melanocytes that produce the brown color in skin.
Some moles are not benign and can become cancerous. It is important to distinguish between simple moles and potentially dangerous lesions. Examining the moles on your body about once a month allows you to notice changes, especially if you take pictures of any questionable ones as a baseline.
The differences between moles and skin cancers, particularly melanoma, can help you decide when you need to see a skin specialist.
Moles are regular in shape and outline, generally circular or oval.
Cancers are irregular, spreading out in places.
The line that divides the mole from the normal skin is sharp, clear.
The border of a skin cancer is sometimes hard to identify as the lesion blends into the skin.
Moles are usually one color, often brown or tan.
Melanomas are multi-colored, with black, blue, red, brown and even white.
Most people have between 10 and 40 moles on their skin by the time they become adults.
A larger number of lesions is concerning.
Moles are smooth to the touch.
Skin cancers are often lumpy, and sometimes scaly, hard or rough.
Moles are small, rarely bigger than the diameter of a push pin.
Skin cancers are larger.
Moles stay the same or sometimes disappear as you age.
Skin cancers grow larger and the borders and shapes change.
Moles are usually on the face and upper body.
Melanomas are usually found on the chest and back in men and on the legs in women.
If any of your moles show these differences, or if they get itchy or bleed or hurt, you need to see a skin specialist for removal, such as Robert M. Schwarcz, M.D. in New York City and Scarsdale.
Contact him today to schedule a consultation.
