There are practically no people in the world who do not have several small moles on their bodies. But is it worth paying special attention to these brown dots? Only a qualified specialist can distinguish a benign mole from a malignant one. After that, the doctor can give recommendations on what to do next with this neoplasm. Should I be very worried when a benign mole appears on my body? When do you need to seek professional help? What are the symptoms of developing cancer? If you have any suspicions about a benign mole, for example, in the case of its rapid increase in size, you should contact a medical institution where an early diagnosis of the neoplasm will be carried out. This way you can avoid serious consequences. In this article, you can find information on howto distinguish a benign mole from a malignant formation, how to get rid of them on your body.
General Description
The first small brown spots can form on the skin in childhood, as well as in infants. Benign moles, the photos of which are presented in this article, are a nevus that is not dangerous to human he alth. The basis of their formation lies in melanocyte cells, which accumulate the natural pigment melanin. It is depending on the amount of this pigment that there may be differences in the color of these neoplasms. There are benign moles on the skin of the most varied shade. The photo clearly shows this. The most common colors are:
- black;
- red;
- brown;
- pink;
- blue.
The shape of these neoplasms will depend on the location, as well as the concentration of melanin. Moles can have a leg, and also be located under the skin. In shape, they can also be convex or flat. Most often there are rounded benign moles on the skin, photos of which are presented in our article. However, there are also some exceptions. The development of these neoplasms provokes ultraviolet - natural sunlight. Also, frequent visits to the solarium can be the cause of the appearance of moles on the body. Do not exclude hereditary factors. The most common cause of moles on the body is a hormonal imbalance in the body, which will be typical for the following periods:
- menopause;
- pregnancy;
- puberty.
And now it’s worth getting to know in more detail what these formations are, and you should also familiarize yourself with the photos of benign and malignant moles on the body.
Varieties of moles
Some people discover neoplasms that are very different from others. All varieties of moles are classified depending on several features. Thanks to this, a correct diagnosis can be made in case of any changes. It is customary to divide moles on the body according to the following criteria:
- by origin: newly acquired or congenital;
- by structure: vascular or pigmentary;
- according to the location: on the surface, in depth, in the boundary layer of the skin;
- by elevation above the skin: smooth and flat, protruding in the form of a hemisphere, on a leg, large birthmarks;
- by potential threat: dangerous, which degenerate into melanoma, as well as non-dangerous.
Safe neoplasms
We continue to consider benign and malignant moles, photos of these neoplasms. Those people who have numerous dark spots on their bodies should be very attentive to their change. If signs of degeneration of a mole into melanoma are detected on time, then it will be possible to remove the formation in a timely manner, while maintaining he alth. Signs of a benign mole are as follows:
- Existing foot. howas a rule, it is not able to form malignant skin cells, which proliferate randomly.
- Long state unchanged.
Speaking about the signs of a benign mole, you should pay attention to the fact that those that appeared immediately after the birth of the baby will be considered dangerous. However, you should pay attention to the fact that normally they should have small sizes.
How to distinguish a malignant mole from a benign one? As a rule, a benign neoplasm has the following characteristic features:
- flesh tone;
- soft consistency;
- unchanged pattern of the skin and adjacent tissues;
- hair on the surface of a mole that grows from the skin indicates the absence of any pathologies;
- symmetric;
- size no larger than 5 mm in diameter;
- nevus in the form of a spot.
Dangerous Moles
Surely those people who have a large number of moles on their skin have repeatedly wondered how to distinguish a malignant mole from a benign one. Is there always a threat of degeneration of a safe nevus into a cancerous tumor? The main signs of a malignant neoplasm on the body are as follows:
- changing the shade to the dark side, the formation of multicolor;
- rapid increase in size when a mole gains more than 2 mm in a year;
- cracking;
- appearance of asymmetry due to uneven growth;
- itch andburning;
- lack of elasticity;
- discomfort.
If you have dangerous moles on your body, then this is a signal for an immediate visit to the doctor to clarify the nature of such changes, as well as to determine the likelihood of developing oncology. If you pay attention to the differences between benign and malignant moles, you can avoid possible complications. You should also pay attention to the fact that a safe neoplasm can develop into a malignant one if any pathological factors act on it. These should include:
- injury to education by negligence;
- abuse of prolonged exposure to the sun, as well as the use of a solarium;
- do-it-yourself mole removal;
- location of the spot in the place of frequent contact with items of clothing: on the head, neck, genitals;
- previously removed melanomas;
- placement of a mole in the hair, on the palms, on the face, that is, where there is a possibility of injury.
How dangerous can moles be for a person?
It should be noted that absolutely no one is immune from the sudden growth of benign mole cells on the skin. Melanoma is a very serious disease. If it is not detected at the initial stage of its development, then everything can end even with a fatal outcome. The main provoking factor for this is the independent unsuccessful removal of neoplasms. So don'tit is worth independently starting to remove benign moles on your body. The danger of moles on the body lies in the fact that they have the ability:
- go into a precancerous form;
- turn into a cancerous form;
- grow to large sizes;
- in the case of a small external change, metastases actively spread throughout the human body, in particular, along the lymphatic and bloodstream.
Duration of development of melanoma from a mole
The formation of a malignant neoplasm can last in completely different ways. The process will depend on the stage of the disease, as well as the type of tumor. The most dangerous are instant metastases. It all starts with:
- penetration of cancer cells into the deep layer of the epidermis;
- penetration of cancer cells into the blood and lymph;
- getting cancer cells into the liver, lungs, kidneys;
- growth of cancer cells in these organs;
- absolute defeat of the human body;
- everything ends with a fatal outcome.
Remember that only a qualified specialist can remove a benign mole. Thus, you can avoid possible unpleasant consequences and the degeneration of education into a malignant form. Certain phases are observed in which a benign mole grows and also degenerates into melanoma. Consider them:
- Horizontal proliferation of cells. In this case, the upper layers of the skin are affected, while this phase cantake up to 10 years. In this case, metastases do not form.
- Vertical proliferation of cells. Here, the spread of cancer cells in the internal organs takes place, and this phase can last for 2 years. As a rule, it has a poor prognosis for the patient.
- Nodular proliferation of cells. This type of melanoma formation is the most dangerous, characterized by a strong spread of cancer cells into the deep layers of the epidermis for 2 months.
Melanoma symptoms
So, we figured out what a benign mole on the body looks like, but what does a malignant form look like? It is possible to provide timely assistance only if the patient consults a doctor when the first changes appear. Research, diagnostics, referral to therapy by the surgical method will save a person's life. The very first signs of melanoma are:
- bleeding;
- height increase;
- appearance of secretions;
- burning, itching;
- redness;
- softening of the nevus;
- puffiness of tissues;
- thickening;
- crust;
- expansion of pigmentation near the affected area;
- hair loss.
Further with the development of malignant melanoma, the following signs are observed:
- significant changes in size;
- enlarged lymph nodes;
- appearance of soreness;
- ulceration of the surface;
- liquid separation;
- bleeding in areas of pigmentation;
- appearance of new foci;
- tightening of the skin;
- formation of an earthy hue;
- symptoms of metastases: weight loss, chronic cough, headaches, seizures.
The difference between a mole and melanoma
To identify which neoplasms are not dangerous and dangerous, you should understand how they look externally. A person who has nevi on his body, in order to avoid terrible consequences, must periodically monitor the formation of new moles, and also look for changes. It is possible to distinguish a benign mole from its malignant form by certain signs. As a rule, non-hazardous education is distinguished by the following features:
- has smooth edges;
- symmetrical;
- color uniform;
- has dimensions that do not exceed 6 mm in diameter.
This is why if you have benign moles with uneven edges, it is possible that they have begun to transform into malignant melanoma. Be sure to contact a specialist if this kind of change occurs. So, we have explained how to identify a benign mole. But what are the signs of a dangerous melanoma? If you experience the following symptoms, you should definitely seek help from a dermatologist:
- strongly expressed asymmetry of the neoplasm;
- growth of a mole in a short period of time;
- heterogeneity in shade: the presence of inclusions of sever altones;
- large diameter, reaching over 6mm;
- lack of a clear border, the line is blurred along the contour, indented, outwardly similar to the coast on a geographical map;
- change any parameters: size, color, shape.
External signs of dangerous moles
What do nevi that are subject to pathological changes look like? Only a qualified doctor can accurately distinguish a safe neoplasm from a dangerous one. Other warning signs to look out for:
- blue seal under the skin, which has clear boundaries, the size is not more than 10 mm;
- nodular dangerous moles, rounded in shape, flat, shade black or brown;
- skin dangerous neoplasms convex, often pale;
- halo nevus, which is a pigment that is surrounded by a white ring;
- connective dangerous moles that bind separate formations into a whole;
- Spitz, which looks like a pink dome-shaped tumor, may have a hole through which fluid or blood comes out.
Moles with jagged edges
Photos of benign moles clearly show how they should look normal. However, one of the signs of the degeneration of a non-dangerous formation into a malignant one is a change in the contour. Quite often, dangerous moles have blurred borders, as well as their scalloped shape. Correct diagnosis will be carried out only by a qualified specialist in a clinic setting. Moles with unevenborders can become dangerous for a person only if there are additional signs of the formation of melanoma, which are as follows:
- clear asymmetry;
- accelerated resizing;
- the appearance of jagged borders.
Rough neoplasms on the body
Such moles will not be dangerous to human he alth if they are no more than 5 mm in size in size, and also maintain their constant parameters. Quite often, the appearance of a rough mole indicates an insufficient amount of vitamins in the body, as well as a malnutrition. Specialists in this case advise patients to come for a consultation if the following signs were found:
- appearance of tingling, itching, burning;
- smooth nevus has become rough;
- roughness appeared in the center, compaction;
- spots with different shades appeared;
- the diameter of the mole has greatly increased.
Dangerous rough moles need immediate examination in the following cases:
- appearance of bleeding;
- rapid resizing;
- development of the inflammatory process;
- formation of asymmetry;
- appearance of purulent discharge;
- appearance of pain during touch;
- irregular shape, blurred borders of the neoplasm.
Big moles
Moles on the skin, which are large in size, are age spots. If they remain without any changes, and also do not cause inconvenience to the patient, then this phenomenon is not considered dangerous. However, it is important to constantly monitor their appearance, shade, size. To avoid worries, you need to consult a dermatologist. During the visit, the specialist conducts a diagnosis, and also gives the patient a forecast of the possible risk of developing a malignant form of the neoplasm. Large moles are only dangerous if they:
- compacted;
- injured;
- began to itch;
- changed in shape, dimensions;
- were unsuccessfully removed on their own;
- bleed.
What growths can be removed?
Very often, nevi on the body cause discomfort to patients. For example, if a mole is on the face, neck, then people feel uncomfortable in society. But even if they do not cause any trouble, often removal is the right decision, as the appearance of the skin improves significantly. After the procedure, specialists must send tissues for histological analysis without fail, due to which it is revealed whether the mole has a malignant or benign form. If this neoplasm is not dangerous, does not change size, does not bother, then the operation will not be a prerequisite. But which moles should not be removed? Dermatologists believe that there are no contraindications to this procedure. However, it is necessary to choose the right method for excising a mole on the body.
Doctors urge patients to pay close attention to neoplasms on their skin. Do not use self-removal of moles. Only an experienced doctor can determine whether it is a dangerous nevus, after which he decides what can be done with it in the future. As a rule, the reason for removal is:
- injury to a mole from clothes, for example, in the groin, on the neck, under the arms;
- severe pain when touched;
- moles are located on the head under the hair, due to which they are injured during combing or cutting;
- changing hue, shape, shape;
- significant increase in size;
- appearance of itching, burning;
- bleeding and inflammation.
Contraindications for removal of moles on the body
If flat nevi or hanging moles do not require prompt removal, then it is best to carry out this procedure in winter or autumn. For aesthetic indications, removal should be carried out in a cosmetology room, if the qualification of a specialist allows it. However, it is best to get rid of these neoplasms in specialized clinics operated by experienced doctors. The main contraindications for the procedure are:
- pregnancy;
- menstruation;
- high body temperature;
- pathologies accompanied by poor blood clotting;
- infectious diseases of the skin at the location of the mole;
- severe heart disease;
- age under 12years.
Please also note that it is not recommended to remove moles that a baby has formed immediately after birth. They need special care, but it is not necessary to remove them at an early age. In case of suspicion of a malignant neoplasm, the operation is performed only after preliminary diagnosis.
Modern methods of mole removal
To remove a mole, specialists currently use a variety of methods (which one is acceptable or necessary in a particular case, only a dermatologist can tell). Each of them has its own advantages and disadvantages. Malignant neoplasms are subject to excision together with tissues located within a radius of 5 cm, thus preventing the spread of metastases and the recurrence of the disease. After such an intervention, scars and scars always remain on the body, so this method is not used to remove spots that are localized on the face.
One of the most common procedures for removing nevi is laser excision. The procedure is performed under anesthesia or without anesthesia. In total, the operation takes about 7 minutes, during which the nevus is removed in layers. The recovery period is about 2 weeks. As a rule, during this period, the skin is completely restored, all depressions disappear, no traces remain. The disadvantage is that the tissues are completely destroyed, which means that histological analysis cannot be carried out.
Another modern method of removing neoplasms on the body is electrocoagulation. This procedure implies the use of electric current. During the operation, the specialist controls the depth of current penetration, thus not injuring he althy tissues. This procedure is used to remove moles on the body and face. This method is based on thermal damage to the skin, and after the event, the damaged tissue area is covered with a dry crust, which will fall off on its own in 1-2 weeks.
Some prefer to use cryodestruction to remove benign types of moles on the body, when tissues are exposed to liquid nitrogen at low temperatures. This gas destroys the tissue, provokes its rejection, but the skin after such a procedure recovers quickly. This method is not applicable to the removal of moles on the face. It should also be noted that cryodestruction is a cosmetic procedure, so it is not used if malignant and dangerous formations should be removed.
