- What is a mole?
Skin is the largest organ in our body and has many functions. By creating a barrier between our body and the outside world, the skin protects us from cold, heat and minor trauma, prevents fluid loss, prevents microorganisms from entering our body, synthesizes vitamins and acts as a sensory organ. Many benign or malignant lesions can be encountered regarding our skin, which has such an important function and covers our entire body. This article aims to provide you with general information about them.
Moles (nevus, mole) are small, often brown lesions that can be seen in anyone and especially first appear between the ages of 10 and 20. These may be smooth or raised on the skin surface. They are often round in shape and have regular borders. Many of them can occur from sun exposure. Moles are called intradermal, junkional or compound nevus depending on their location on the skin. Moles, that is, nevus, can be found all over the body and can appear at any age. Junctional nevi grow in adulthood and turn into compound nevus. Intradermal nevi are called moles. They can be found anywhere on the body and can be flat, brown, pink, round or oval and are often smaller than 6 mm.
- Do moles need to be removed?
Moles can often be removed for cosmetic purposes. Apart from this, they can be surgically removed to prevent trauma caused by external factors such as rubbing against clothing, underwear, or irritation during shaving. Depending on the condition of the moles, they can be removed by laser or surgically.
- Which moles need to be removed?
Atypical mole (dysplastic nevus) ) are benign moles that often appear later and resemble skin cancer called melanoma. They are lesions that vary in color from black to pink, often have a smooth surface, irregular borders, and a size between 5 and 10 mm. Although they are benign, the risk of melanoma is high in these people, and as the number of atypical moles increases, the risk of melanoma also increases. Tracking these people is difficult. Because atypical moles look like melanoma, it is difficult to distinguish them. this ned Close monitoring and surgical removal of suspected lesions is required. Different paths can be followed in pursuit. A person can follow moles in visible places on his own. You may be followed by an experienced plastic surgeon or dermatologist in this regard. For this purpose, follow-up with the method called dermatoscopy is very helpful. In necessary cases, lesions that change and cause suspicion may need to be identified, removed surgically and examined pathologically.
Congenital melanocytic nevus (giant hairy nevus) They are congenital dark colored moles. Although they are seen at birth, they can appear around the age of one. Although they appear at birth, those that appear later are actually present in the body at the time of birth, but due to the release of pigment, they are skin colored and cannot be noticed. It is stated that later on, the color change becomes noticeable as a result of the increased release of melanin, that is, the pigment. It is estimated to develop between weeks 5-24 of embryonic life. They often appear randomly, independently of the family. It is available in familial transmission. Their colors vary from light brown to dark brown, but they can also be blue. It is generally oval or round in shape with well-circumscribed borders and can come in different sizes. While most of them are smaller than 1.5 cm and are classified as small congenital hairy nevus, those larger than 20 cm in diameter are called giant hairy nevus. While the risk of turning into malignant disease varies between 0% and 5% in small nevi over a lifetime, this rate varies between 5% and 10% in giant hairy nevi. These rates vary in different sources.
For this reason, while small moles, that is, nevi, need to be removed or followed closely, it is essential to surgically remove giant hairy nevi. However, because they are very large, dermatoscopic follow-up is required along with surgery. Follow-up is important.
- Is there any cancer that can develop from moles?
Malignant melanoma is the most dangerous of skin cancers. They occur as a result of unlimited proliferation of these cells due to genetic damage to skin cells as a result of uncontrolled sun exposure, tanning and sunburn, and form tumors. These tumors arise from the cells that produce the pigments that give color to the skin (melanocytes). en)takes its origin. Melanoma may resemble moles, and sometimes moles can also develop into melanoma. Although most melanomas are black and brown, they can be pink, red, skin-colored, purple, blue or even white. Malignant melanoma is a tumor that must be treated surgically.
- How should moles be followed up? What changes in moles should be taken?
During the follow-up of moles and if the following changes are observed, you should definitely consult an aesthetic plastic surgeon or dermatologist. The English equivalents of these changes are formed by the initials. It is called the acronym ABCDE. ABCDE is very important in tracking moles.
Asymmetry: Draw a line from the middle of the existing mole, both sides are equal. Be suspicious if the two sides are not equal.
Border: In the early stage of melanoma, the borders are irregular. There are notches and protrusions.
Color (Color): Moles are often one color. Melanoma has more than one color tone. Black and dark brown can be encountered in its different shades. However, there may be red or even blue melanomas.
Diameter: Melanomas are often larger than a pencil eraser(6mm). Sometimes they can be smaller than this. It is usually smaller than 6 mm.
Evolving: Any change in size, shape, color or swelling should raise suspicion. Apart from these, findings such as itching, bleeding, and crusting should also be taken into consideration.
- Does removing moles cause cancer?
Removing moles surgically Removal does not cause cancer. On the contrary, it is a therapeutic and preventive procedure as it removes a risky tissue from the body when it is completely removed surgically.
- How does mole removal occur?
Moles that are decided to be removed are marked as a diamond shape. The area around the mole is anesthetized by injecting local anesthetic. You will not feel any pain after this. The mole is then surgically removed along with its root. It is closed with very thin stitches using aesthetic methods. A small dressing is applied. You can return to work immediately after mole removal.
- Is mole removal a painful procedure?
Mole removal is done under local anesthesia and very While injecting local anesthetic with fine-tipped needles, a very slight pain may be felt along with a feeling of tension. After this procedure, no pain is felt. There is usually no pain after the procedure, but any pain that may occur can be relieved with simple painkillers.
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