Malignant moles

Moles are common and harmless growths on the skin, consisting of cells that produce the pigment melanin. Most moles are benign, although some have the potential to become cancerous, indicating an increased risk of developing skin cancer.

It is important to monitor pigmented moles, as changes in them may be an early sign of melanoma development.

How to recognize a malignant mole?

Signs of concern include asymmetry of the lesion, irregular edges, color change, a lesion greater than 6 mm in diameter, and progression over time.

Any changes in existing moles, or the appearance of new growths after the age of 30, require a medical evaluation. Also, people who have many moles on their skin, or who have a family history of skin cancer, are at high risk and need mole examination and regular dermatological consultation.

Mole type and cancer risk

There is a wide variety of pigmented moles, which have different characteristics and different risks of developing melanoma.

1. Benign mole (common melanocytic nevus)

Small, round or oval, benign pigmented growths with well-defined borders and uniform color (brown, pink). Such growths are harmless and develop in childhood and adolescence, rarely degenerating into melanoma, although a large number of such moles after the age of 50 increases the risk of melanoma.

A type of benign nevus is Spitz nevus – a benign, rapidly growing, brownish-pink formation that develops in childhood and adolescence. They often resemble melanoma, so they need to be differentiated.

2. Congenital moles

They are present at birth and come in various sizes. Congenital moles larger than 8 mm have a higher risk of developing into melanoma than moles that develop after birth.

3. Atypical (dysplastic) moles

They have irregular edges, an asymmetrical shape, and a variety of colors (from dark brown to pinkish-red). Such atypical growths require close monitoring, as they are at increased risk of malignant transformation. The risk is even higher with a large number of such growths (more than 10) on the skin, especially if there is a family history.

4. Melanoma

Melanoma is the most aggressive and dangerous form of skin cancer, as it spreads quickly to other tissues. It arises from melanocytes – cells that produce the pigment melanin. Melanoma can develop both on healthy skin and as a result of the degeneration of other pre-existing moles. Despite the fact that melanomas make up a small percentage of skin cancers, they are the leading cause of death.

When does an atypical mole require monitoring?

It is recommended to self-examine moles once a month so that the patient can notice any changes in the mole:

• Color
• shape
• size
• Texture
• Height
• Additional symptoms (itching, peeling, bleeding)

Dermatological examination is necessary once a year, if up to 5 atypical elements are present. In the presence of more than 5 elements, or in the presence of a history of melanoma in first-degree relatives, it is recommended to be evaluated by a specialist every 3-6 months.

Why is monitoring necessary?

Studies show that people with 5 or more dysplastic moles have a 10-fold higher risk of developing melanoma.

Regular monitoring by a specialist is necessary to prevent suspicious cases and advanced forms of the disease.

Characteristics of malignant moles – ABCDE Rule

ABCDE The rule is a self-assessment method recommended by dermatologists:

• A – Asymmetry : Asymmetry – the halves of the mole do not match each other in shape.
• B – border : Borders – the edges are uneven, unclear.
• C – Color : Color – non-uniform, transient coloration on the surface of the mole.
• D – Diameter : Diameter – greater than 6 mm, although some melanomas are very small.
• E – Evolution : Development – ​​characteristics gradually change: color, shape, size, becomes flaky, bleeding, crusty.

The presence of even one of these characteristics requires immediate evaluation by a specialist.

Risk factors for the development of malignant moles

The development of melanoma and other malignant moles is caused by various factors that accelerate the malignant degeneration of cells.

• Excessive exposure to ultraviolet rays – both from sunlight and artificial radiation
• Light-colored skin that burns more easily from exposure to sunlight or tanning beds
• Family history of melanoma
• Presence of a large number of moles on the skin (50-100)
• Impaired immune status

Methods for diagnosing malignant moles

Dermatological evaluation and laboratory studies are essential for a comprehensive study of skin lesions.

• Digital dermatoscopy It is a non-invasive method of examining moles.
• Skin biopsy In case of suspicious growth and degeneration of a mole, a histopathological and, if necessary, immunohistochemical study of the material taken from the skin is performed.
• Based on immunohistochemistry data, it is sometimes necessary to study mutations in genes associated with melanoma.
• Protein S100 and LDH - lactate dehydrogenase - are important markers for disease prognosis.
• Genetic testing is performed in patients with a family history of skin cancer.

Treatment of malignant moles

Treatment of malignant skin tumors depends on the characteristics of the tumor and the stage of the disease. In most cases, radical surgical excision of the tumor is used. If the melanoma tissue has grown into other tissues or there are metastases, in addition to surgery, other treatment methods are used: immunotherapy, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy, etc.

 Prevention of malignant moles

To protect yourself from the development of malignant moles and growths, it is necessary to follow simple recommendations:

• Limit exposure to the sun during peak activity (10:00–16:00)
• Use of sunscreen (SPF 30+)
• Use of sunglasses and sun-protective clothing
• Avoiding sunburn from tanning in a solarium
• Regular skin condition monitoring with a specialist

Is removing suspicious moles enough to prevent cancer?

Removing suspicious moles does not always protect us from the development of malignant skin growths, but this method can stop the development of melanoma at an early stage. By excising it at an early stage, it is possible to completely cure a malignant mole. If a suspicious mole is not removed in time, there is a possibility of its degeneration and growth into other tissues.

Is it necessary to biopsy all moles?

It is not necessary to biopsy every suspicious mole, however, during a dermatological evaluation, a specialist will determine which moles can be sampled and studied. A biopsy is necessary to rule out a diagnostics of melanoma!

Will a benign mole turn malignant?

All benign moles have the potential to become malignant. The risk is higher if the mole is atypical (dysplastic) and is exposed to environmental factors (e.g., ultraviolet radiation, mechanical damage, etc.).

Is there a risk of a suspicious mole reappearing after removal?

Complete surgical excision of a suspicious mole significantly reduces the risk of its recurrence, however, sometimes malignant cells remain in the area surrounding or adjacent to the mole, creating the possibility of its reoccurrence.

To identify genetic variants associated with hereditary cancers, "Synevo" We offer research:

Resources

https://www.synevo.ro/alunite-cancerigene/

n.manjaparashvili@synevo.ge