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What Are The Chances Of Benign Moles Becoming Malignant?
Question: Hello
I'm hoping you can help me with my question. I am a 28 year old male.
I recently had a mole on my back biopsied by a dermatologist. I also have several moles I would say 25-50.
The dermatologist was not kind at all, and only looked at my back. I told him I have other moles elsewhere. I asked if the mole was cancerous and he said not yet, but it could have become cancerous eventually. What does he mean by this? I have requested a copy of my results soon. His staff told me that I now need a new referral to come back. Should I be worried?
I am also noticing what looks like new very small dark moles. Like if you took a black pen and just dabbed it on the skin. I am very worried.
Can you please tell me what I should do? I have asked for a second opinion and will be seeing another dermatologist soon. I want to tell him to remove and biopsy all of my moles.
Another thing is that my grandfather had melanoma. Does it run in the family?
If this was your child, what would you recommend to him?
I'm hoping you can help me with my question. I am a 28 year old male.
I recently had a mole on my back biopsied by a dermatologist. I also have several moles I would say 25-50.
The dermatologist was not kind at all, and only looked at my back. I told him I have other moles elsewhere. I asked if the mole was cancerous and he said not yet, but it could have become cancerous eventually. What does he mean by this? I have requested a copy of my results soon. His staff told me that I now need a new referral to come back. Should I be worried?
I am also noticing what looks like new very small dark moles. Like if you took a black pen and just dabbed it on the skin. I am very worried.
Can you please tell me what I should do? I have asked for a second opinion and will be seeing another dermatologist soon. I want to tell him to remove and biopsy all of my moles.
Another thing is that my grandfather had melanoma. Does it run in the family?
If this was your child, what would you recommend to him?
Brief Answer:
benign moles can also turn malignant with time, hence followup needed
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for your query.
I understand your concerns. It appears that you have numerous moles and new small moles are appearing with time. One of them was biopsied and it was probably benign (not cancerous).
Usually in a person with multiple moles, only the ones looking suspicious are biopsied. there is no need to biopsy all. The ABCDE criteria is used to identify atypical lesion.
A- asymmetry
B- border (uneven)
C- variable colors in one lesion
D- diameter large (>5 mm)
E- evolving with time (this is what your dermatologist meant, that some moles can change over time)
The new tiny ones are probably benign. Still, no harm in getting a second opinion.
Melanoma risk increases with family history but with only one grandfather affected, the risk is probably not too high.
I would recommend that you get a second opinion and keep your eyes open for the ABCDE signs, so that anything suspicious is promptly brought to the attention of the dermatologist.
Hope this helps.
Regards
benign moles can also turn malignant with time, hence followup needed
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for your query.
I understand your concerns. It appears that you have numerous moles and new small moles are appearing with time. One of them was biopsied and it was probably benign (not cancerous).
Usually in a person with multiple moles, only the ones looking suspicious are biopsied. there is no need to biopsy all. The ABCDE criteria is used to identify atypical lesion.
A- asymmetry
B- border (uneven)
C- variable colors in one lesion
D- diameter large (>5 mm)
E- evolving with time (this is what your dermatologist meant, that some moles can change over time)
The new tiny ones are probably benign. Still, no harm in getting a second opinion.
Melanoma risk increases with family history but with only one grandfather affected, the risk is probably not too high.
I would recommend that you get a second opinion and keep your eyes open for the ABCDE signs, so that anything suspicious is promptly brought to the attention of the dermatologist.
Hope this helps.
Regards
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju
Answered by
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