Cancer After Superficial Mole Removal?

asked 3 years ago by OverMyWorld
Latest answer by Lisa Benest, MD
Question viewed 7,008 times

I had a non-cancerous mole removed by laser. The mole was quite deep so not all of the mole was removed. What happens if the little bit of mole left under the surface of the skin becomes cancerous after some years? Is it possible for the cancer to go unnoticed? Will scar tissue from the laser removal some years earlier hide the cancer to me or the dermatologist?

7 answers to Cancer After Superficial Mole Removal?

Your Risk is Low

You are not at any greater risk for cancer having had the mole removed by laser. If you do happen to develop cancer in the residual mole (most moles never become cancerous) you will notice some change to the area. The scar will not hide the cancer and will not cause the cancer to spread under the skin. However, keep in mind that moles can return, and any evidence of recurrence does not mean it is cancerous. If that were to happen, have a dermatologist examine the area... more

Lisa Benest, MD
Burbank Dermatologist

Laser removal of moles is not a good idea.

I just posted another answer on exactly this topic. I agree with your concern about difficulty monitoring the root cells of a mole that may be left under the surface after laser mole removal. For this reason, I disagree with using this method to remove moles at all. I prefer a small shave biopsy and sending the mole tissue for pathologic evaluation. Unfortunately, trying to "melt" away a mole for cosmetic purposes does leave you at some risk. It's hard to have it both ways.... more

Jessica J. Krant, MD, MPH
Manhattan Dermatologic Surgeon

Mole removal- the biopsy will prove its nature

A benign (good natured) mole usually stays benign, even if it was not removed completely. As you seem bothered, I would recommend to have the mole emoved completely by an excision a have it sutured cosmetically. Naturally, the specimen sould be sent to the lab.

Robert Kasten, MD
Mainz Dermatologic Surgeon

Cancer after mole removal

If the original pathology showed a noncancerous mole, subsequent biopsy of the area when it returns can look "dysplastic"/cancerous under the microscope. The location and pathology should be well documented and the information relayed to all cosmetic physicians you see

Purvisha Patel, MD
Germantown Dermatologist

Pathology essential prior to mole removal

Incompletely excised or lasered moles can grow back looking atypical. The key is to have the original specimen biopsy and if the pathology indicated benign nature of the lesion, then subsequent residual mole can be monitored.

William Ting, MD
Bay Area Dermatologic Surgeon

Hopefully a biopsy was done

A laser which would rid you of a mole, by definition is ablative. This would mean that there would not be any tissue to send to the pathologist. It is standard procedure to perform a small biopsy before the laser is used. You might check if that was done. Otherwise, the dermatologist must have been very confident that the mole was benign. This underscores the danger of allowing lay people access to lasers unless they are under the direct supervision of a physician.... more

Arnold R. Oppenheim, MD
Virginia Beach Dermatologist

No risk if malignancy potential ruled out during mole removal

This is a fantastic question. Unless you saw a dermatologist who was certain there was no malignant potential in this "mole" you had treated, you do stand to risk potential masking of a malignancy forming in the remaining cells. This is likely a low probability, but this is why dermatologists hardly every use a laser to remove melanocytic lesions, without first doing a biopsy.

Peter Malouf, DO
Dallas Dermatologist

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