How to Tell if Mole is Cancerous?

Question

I was noticing a little brown mole on my skin, and I stupidly thought it was something else so I picked it off. It went really red and it has swollen up with a red outline. Now, the mole is dark brown and I'm not sure whether or not it is just a scab. It does not itch or anything; it just stings a bit when I touch it. How would I know if it is cancerous or not?

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Mole removal begins with a comprehensive examination and consultation to determine the likelihood of a mole being worrisome. Excisional and incisional biopsies are reserved for suspicious moles. But it’s good news that most moles are not problematic and are only cosmetic, thus leading to the option of scarless or non-surgical mole removal with lasers and RF and plasma. Our office specializes in non-surgical mole removal.

Best,
Dr. Raffy Karamanoukian
Realself 100 Surgeon

Sam Naficy, MD, FACS · Answer

I would encourage you to allow the lesion to heal and then carefully have it evaluated.  When evaluating a mole/lesion for skin cancer we refer to the ABCD's of melanoma.  The only way to know if a lesion cancerous or not is to get a biopsy.

Shehla Ebrahim, MD · Answer

Dr. Ebrahim checks suspicious moles using the ABCD rule: 
Asymmetry 
  
Border 
  
Color or color change
  
Diameter – diameter larger than .06 mm
  
Evolution of the mole- changing or evolving
  
Dr. Ebrahim, in her Dermatology clinic uses Dermoscopy to evaluate moles.  The dermatascope provides 
  
10 times magnification which  allows her to see deeper structures of the mole.  Dr. Ebrahim recommends that you have any suspicious moles evaluated by a Physician for peace of mind.

Michele S. Green, MD · Answer

The only way to tell if a mole is cancerous is to find an experienced board certified dermatologist with a knowledge of skin cancer.  It sounds like the mole needs to be sent to the pathology lab to determine what exactly it is.  Try not to scratch it because this can make it appear more irritated or infected.

Peter A. Aldea, MD · Answer

It would be a wonderful thing if we could know who are enemies are but just looking at them. Unfortunately, all the "bad" guys do not wear black hats, wear black sunglasses or stroke a white Persian cat while laughing demonically.  To recognize many skin moles based on their appearance requires years of medical training and seeing thousands of moles. But even then, surgeons may underestimate a and mistake a mole thinking it is benign when in fact it could be a cancer.

	The BEST way to tell what a mole is is to have is removed surgically and have a trained skin Pathologist examine it under the microscope. This will almost always pick an early cancer and prevent a delay in treatment. Anything less than this is a bet that the mole is benign and a compromise of your care. I would have it biopsied by a dermatologist or a Plastic surgeon.

	Dr. Peter A Aldea

How to Tell if Mole is Cancerous?

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Answer: How to tell if a mole is cancerous

Answer: How to tell if a mole is cancerous

Answer: How to Tell if Mole is Cancerous?

Answer: How to Tell if Mole is Cancerous?

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How to Tell if Mole is Cancerous?

Answers (8)

Answer: How to tell if a mole is cancerous

Answer: How to tell if a mole is cancerous

Answer: How to Tell if Mole is Cancerous?

Answer: How to Tell if Mole is Cancerous?

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Everything you need to know about Mole Removal

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.