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Not all birthmarks are dangerous, but even the harmless ones, if they disturb or cannot be hidden from the sun, it is worth getting rid of. The dermatologist decides on the method of removing the mole. Based on the inspection of changes - their color and shape - he can distinguish the "safe" ones from those that can turn into a cancer.

Moles(akapigment nevus ) are clusters of pigment cells, i.e. melanocytes. Usually they are genetic, sometimes they appear under the influence of viruses. It depends on the type of mole how susceptible it is to cancer development.

Normal mole or melanoma?

A high risk of melanoma - the most malignant skin cancer - occurs in atypical lesions. How to recognize them? The so-called ABCDE method. The nevus is judged on the basis of:

  • A - asymmetry (the less symmetrical the birthmark, the greater the risk of melanoma),
  • B - edges (an atypical change has irregular edges),
  • C - color (uneven pigment distribution within the mole),
  • D - sizes (over 5mm in diameter)
  • E - evolution (i.e. any changes in the appearance of the birthmark in the last 3 months).

If your moles meet any of the criteria listed, see a dermatologist. You do not need a referral to go to him under the NFZ insurance. See a specialist as soon as possible if the birthmark starts to itch, flake, bleed or ooze.

Czerniak - how to recognize it?

Moles: remove or not?

"Just in case, it is better not to delete" - this view is dangerous in its consequences. The principle is quite the opposite - it is better to get rid of the disturbing mole in advance. The harmful myth that some nevi cannot be moved and their excision ends tragically, probably arose as a result of patients visiting a specialist too late, when the removal of the nevus could no longer help, and excision of the lesion as a whole does not cause its neoplastic transformation and the formation of metastases. If metastases are found after a properly performed surgery, it means that the lesion to be removed was a melanoma that had spread through the lymphatic and blood vessels before the surgery. Moles irritated by a trouser belt or a bra strap are eligible for removal, aalso exposed, exposed to the sun. You can also remove completely harmless moles for aesthetic reasons.

The dermatologist decides about the method of getting rid of moles.

A dermatologist on the basis of a visual inspection of changes - their color, shape - can distinguish the "safe" ones from those that can turn into a neoplasm. Often, however, he also uses a dermatoscope, i.e. a device that is placed on the moles, and looks at them at a magnification of 20 times. Dermatoscopy is painless and non-invasive, but this test does not guarantee 100% certainty as to the nature of the moles. It can only be obtained from a histopathological examination. After surgical excision (the laser would destroy the material), the birthmark is examined in a laboratory to identify its type. This analysis also determines whether the mole has been excised completely (with a he althy tissue margin). The doctor usually recommends a histopathological examination of each surgically removed lesion. Thanks to this, both the doctor and the patient can be sure about its type.

Important

The risk of developing melanoma includes people who have a family history of someone who suffered from this disease, as well as frequent sunbathing, non-sunscreening, fair-skinned people and those with burns in childhood solar panels. "Suspicious" moles should be examined by a doctor once a year, and also every few months to see them yourself. If you don't trust your memory, take pictures of them, it will be easier to see if the moles have changed in any way.

Removal of birthmarks: laser, electrocoagulation or surgery

There are several ways to remove birthmarks on the skin. In addition to electrocoagulation, there is also a laser method. In this way, you can get rid of pigmented spots and other spots, including those deeply rooted in the skin. A beam of very high energy light evaporates the mark on the surface, it is also possible to cut out deep lesions. In this case, the histopathological examination of the removed tissues can also be performed. When the anesthesia (injection or ointment) starts to work, the doctor performs the so-called arrows that destroy changes. Removing one, depending on its size, takes a few minutes. Larger birthmarks are removed in stages - they gradually become shallower. There is a 4-8 week break between treatments. This method does not cause bleeding and there is no need to staple, and there is less risk of scarring.

The surgical method consists in cutting a nevus with a scalpel after local anesthesia - with a cream or injection. They are removed with a margin of he althy skin to ensure that no potentially dangerous tissue is left. Aftersutures and a dressing are applied when the mole is cut out. The doctor who removes the birthmark uses the same suturing technique used in plastic surgery, which means that when it heals, there is a virtually invisible scar.

Surgical removal of birthmarks

Surgical removal of the birthmark is a simple and painless procedure. It only takes a dozen or so minutes. We asked the dermatologist what skin lesions are qualified for removal, what the procedure looks like and whether it is possible to remove the birthmark for aesthetic reasons.

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Dermatology