Almost every person on the body has one or more moles. As a rule, they do not cause discomfort and do not affect he alth in any way. But recently, more and more often, cancerous moles have begun to appear in many people, which are harbingers of a terrible disease - skin cancer. Unfortunately, few can distinguish a common mole from a malignant one, which leads to the development of the disease. In the article, we will take a closer look at what cancerous moles look like, what are their features and how to get rid of them.
What is a malignant mole?
A malignant mole is a cancer called melanoma. It can form anywhere on the body, but most often occurs in exposed areas, as they are exposed to ultraviolet radiation.
Melanoma is the most dangerous form of cancer. It is very important to monitor all moles on the body, especially if there are a lot of them. If a malignant mole is detected in time,melanoma can be prevented.
Characteristic
To prevent the development of skin cancer, it is very important to know how to identify a cancerous mole. For comparison, consider the characteristics of ordinary moles and cancer.
Ordinary harmless moles have a uniform color (brown or black), a clear border that separates them from the rest of the body. Moles are round or oval in shape and are approximately 6 mm in size.
On the human body, there can usually be from 10 to 45 moles. New ones can appear before the age of 40, and some, on the contrary, disappear with age.
Now let's talk about malignant moles. There are usually a lot of them, and outwardly they are very different from the usual ones in color, size, contour (more on this below). It happens that an ordinary mole can develop into a malignant one. In order not to miss this moment and start treatment on time, you need to undergo an examination every six months or a year.
Signs of malignant moles
Malignant moles (cancer cells) have some telltale signs that will help distinguish them from a typical mole. The initial stage of the disease - melanocytic dysplasia - is still treatable. Therefore, if a cancerous mole is identified and removed in time, the development of skin cancer can be avoided.
In 1985, dermatologists developed the abbreviation ABCDE, each letter of which stands for one sign of a cancerous mole. Over time, this abbreviation was adapted into Russian, and it began to sound like AKORD (asymmetry, edges,color, size, dynamics). It is by these signs that a malignant growth can be detected. Let's take a closer look at each feature.
- Asymmetry. As mentioned above, ordinary moles are symmetrical. If you notice even the slightest asymmetry, you need to urgently consult a doctor.
- Edge. Cancer moles have jagged, blurry, and even jagged edges.
- Coloring. Common moles are usually one color (black or brown). Cancer moles on the body can be of different shades, including red.
- Size. Ordinary moles do not exceed 6 mm in volume. If the mole is larger than 6 mm, then most likely it is malignant. In addition, cancerous moles quickly increase in size.
- Dynamics. If the mole is benign, then it does not change its color or size over the years. If you begin to notice changes, then you need to consult a doctor for an examination.
So we've looked at the characteristics and symptoms of a cancerous mole. If you notice at least one of these points in yourself, immediately run to the doctor to prevent the possible development of melanoma.
Risk factors
A person can live with moles all his life, and they will not bother him in any way. But there is always a risk that a standard neoplasm will begin to develop into a malignant one. Consider the most likely risk factors for a mole to become cancerous:
- Having severe sunburn or prolonged exposure to sunlight on normal moles.
- People with white skin, blond hair and eyes, and those with freckles are more likely to develop cancerous moles on their bodies.
- If there are a lot of ordinary moles on the body, then there is a very high risk that sooner or later they will begin to develop into malignant ones.
- Large sizes of standard moles. If an ordinary mole is large in itself, then the risk of developing melanoma increases significantly.
- Hereditary factor. If relatives have skin cancer, then you are also at risk.
To avoid the development of melanoma, it is important to consider all these factors and at the slightest suspicion that the mole is becoming malignant, go to the doctor.
How is the examination going?
To make a diagnosis of cancerous moles, a dermoscopy must first be performed. Using a magnifying glass and a dermatoscope, you can see signs of melanoma on the surface of the growth. In this case, the pigment of the skin and blood vessels is studied and evaluated by taking a sample of a growing mole.
The diagnosis is confirmed after a biopsy (histological analysis). Using local anesthesia, a part of the mole is removed in order to carefully study its structure in the laboratory. This method is one of the most accurate.
It is possible to diagnose cancer at an early stage using a computerized microdermoscopy system, but this method is not yet widely used.
Most importantly, if you yourself notice even the slightest change in the appearance or size of your moles, you need to see a doctor. doctor himselfwill choose the necessary method of diagnosis, and with a timely examination, the risk of developing skin cancer is reduced.
Some things to know about cancerous moles
If a person has more than 50 moles on his body, then he needs to carefully monitor their condition and contact an oncologist at the slightest change.
In addition to the above signs, there are several factors to look out for:
- Darkening. A common mole may be black. But if it was originally brown and suddenly began to darken, then this is a cause for concern. Many people do not pay attention to the darkening of moles, as black is considered the norm.
- Inflammation. If the skin around the most common mole is inflamed or reddened, then you need to urgently go to the doctor for an examination. And in no case should you treat inflamed skin with alcohol, this can only aggravate the situation.
- Surface. The boundaries of the mole have already been mentioned. But you should also pay attention to its surface. From above, it should be smooth, without obvious roughness. If there are any, then this is a sign of the development of melanoma.
- If dark patches of skin appear around a common mole, then this is a big cause for concern. An oncologist urgently needs to be checked.
As you can see, there are a lot of signs of melanoma development. It is very difficult to remember them all. Remember that any change in a standard mole may indicate that itbecomes malignant.
Treatment
Currently, the only possible treatment for melanoma is the removal of cancerous moles. The complexity of the operation depends on the neglect of the situation and on the size of the formation. Half an hour is enough for small growths.
When removing a cancerous mole, the surgeon cuts out a small area of skin (1 cm) around the mole to prevent new ones from appearing in the same place. The larger and larger the malignant mole, the more skin around it needs to be removed.
After the mole is cut out, a sample is sent to the laboratory. They are studying its level of prevalence, that is, the likelihood that new such growths will appear on the body.
What predictions do doctors give?
Tumor thickness is the main criterion by which oncologists make predictions. If the mole was small, then the risk of its re-formation is small, and the chance of life without melanoma increases.
The rehabilitation period after removal of the growth is short. A scar forms at the site of the removed mole, which heals rather quickly. The size of the scar depends on the method of removal.
Laser removal is the safest method that leaves almost no marks and scars. But this method cannot be used in advanced cases.
It should be noted that if the operation was performed in a timely manner, the risk of melanoma in the future is very small. In the future, you just need to see a doctor regularly -oncologist to avoid relapse.
Conclusion
In the article, we examined in detail what cancerous moles are, what are the ways to treat them, as well as signs that will help identify their development at an early stage. Take care of your body and stay he althy!
