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Mole (skin marking)
Classification & external resources

Melanocytic naevus
ICD-10	D22.
ICD-9	216
DiseasesDB	8333
eMedicine	derm/289
MeSH	D009508

A mole, technically known as a melanocytic naevus, is a small, dark spot on human skin. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, the majority of moles show up during the first two decades of a person’s life while about one in every 100 babies are born with moles^{[citation needed]}. Acquired moles are a form of benign neoplasm, while congenital moles are considered a minor malformation, or hamartoma. A mole can be either subdermal (composed of melanin), or a pigmented growth on the skin, formed mostly of a type of cell known as melanocytes. The high concentration of the body’s pigmenting agent, melanin, is responsible for their dark color. Moles are a member of the family of skin lesions known as naevi. Image File history File links Gnome-globe. ... Image File history File links Please see the file description page for further information. ... The International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (most commonly known by the abbreviation ICD) provides codes to classify diseases and a wide variety of signs, symptoms, abnormal findings, complaints, social circumstances and external causes of injury or disease. ... The International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems 10th Revision (ICD-10) is a coding of diseases and signs, symptoms, abnormal findings, complaints, social circumstances and external causes of injury or diseases, as classified by the World Health Organization (WHO). ... // C00-D48 - Neoplasms (C00-C14) Malignant neoplasms, lip, oral cavity and pharynx (C00) Malignant neoplasm of lip (C01) Malignant neoplasm of base of tongue (C02) Malignant neoplasm of other and unspecified parts of tongue (C03) Malignant neoplasm of gum (C04) Malignant neoplasm of floor of mouth (C05) Malignant neoplasm of... The International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (most commonly known by the abbreviation ICD) provides codes to classify diseases and a wide variety of signs, symptoms, abnormal findings, complaints, social circumstances and external causes of injury or disease. ... The following is a list of codes for International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems. ... The Disease Bold textDatabase is a free website that provides information about the relationships between medical conditions, symptoms, and medications. ... eMedicine is an online clinical medical knowledge base that was founded in 1996. ... Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) is a huge controlled vocabulary (or metadata system) for the purpose of indexing journal articles and books in the life sciences. ... Beyond overall skin structure, refer below to: See-also. ... Look up Benign in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Neoplasia (literally: new growth) is sudden and abnormal growth in a tissue or organ. ... A congenital disorder is a medical condition or defect that is present at or before birth (for example, congenital heart disease). ... A congenital disorder is a medical condition that is present at birth. ... A hamartoma is a common benign tumor in an organ composed of tissue elements normally found at that site but that are growing in a disorganized mass. ... Broadly, melanin is any of the polyacetylene, polyaniline, and polypyrrole blacks and browns or their mixed copolymers. ... Beyond overall skin structure, refer below to: See-also. ... Drawing of the structure of cork as it appeared under the microscope to Robert Hooke from Micrographia which is the origin of the word cell being used to describe the smallest unit of a living organism Cells in culture, stained for keratin (red) and DNA (green) The cell is the... Melanocytes are cells located in the bottom layer of the skins epidermis. ... Broadly, melanin is any of the polyacetylene, polyaniline, and polypyrrole blacks and browns or their mixed copolymers. ... Color is an important part of the visual arts. ... Beyond overall skin structure, refer below to: See-also. ... A lesion is a non-specific term referring to abnormal tissue in the body. ... Photograph of a nevus on an arm Nevus (or naevus) is a general term that refers to a number of different, usually benign, pigmented lesions of the skin. ...

History

At one time in the 1950s and 60s, (and, to lesser extent, currently) a mole was known as a “beauty mark” when it appeared in certain spots on a woman’s face. Examples include Marilyn Monroe, model Cindy Crawford and singer Madonna. Madonna's facial mole -- below her right nostril -- has been surgically removed, possibly reflecting increasing public distaste for the former fetishizing of these blemishes. Almost everyone with light skin has at least one or two moles somewhere on their bodies while large numbers can be concentrated on the back, chest, and arms. Darker skin shades, however, tend to have fewer moles. Some folklore about moles includes the notion that picking at a mole can cause it to become cancerous or grow back larger. While chronic picking or irritation (by clothing) of a mole can be detrimental in many ways, it has not been associated with a higher incidence of cancer.^[1] But while a mole may sometimes be removed by its bearer and may not grow back larger, the resulting scar can be larger. When a mole is bothersome, physicians usually recommend that it be examined by a dermatologist to see if it should be removed. The dermatologist or plastic surgeon can perform the procedure with an eye toward preventing a larger scar. A teenage boy with a beauty mark. ... The face is the front part of the head, in humans from the forehead to chin including the hair, forehead, eyebrow, eyes, nose, cheeks, mouth, lips, philtrum, teeth, skin, and chin. ... Marilyn Monroe (born Norma Jeane Mortenson on June 1, 1926 – August 5, 1962), was a Golden Globe Award-winning American actress, singer, model and pop icon. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Madonna Louise Ciccone Ritchie (born August 16, 1958), better known as simply Madonna, is a six-time Grammy[1] and one-time Golden Globe award winning American pop singer, songwriter, record and film producer, dancer, actress, author and fashion icon. ... For the usual meaning of this term, see body. ... Look up Back in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Male Chest The chest is a part of the anatomy of humans and various other animals. ... The word arms may refer to: The arm is anatomically the part of the body extending from the shoulder to the elbow. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... The word notion can refer to: Notion, the philosophical concept Notion, the mathematical concept Notion, the Winchester slang term Notion, accessories used in the sewing industry. ... For other uses, see Cancer (disambiguation). ... This article or section is not written in the formal tone expected of an encyclopedia article. ... Skin cancer is a malignant growth on the skin which can have many causes. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Dermatology is a branch of medicine dealing with the skin, its structure, functions, and diseases (from Greek derma, skin), as well as its appendages (nails, hair, sweat glands). ... Plastic surgery is a general term for operative manual and instrumental treatment which is performed for functional or aesthetic reasons. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ...

Cause

Sunlight

Some scientists suspect that overexposure to ultraviolet light, including excessive sunlight, may play a role in the formation of acquired moles.^[2] However, more research is needed in this area. Note: Ultraviolet is also the name of a 1998 UK television miniseries about vampires. ... Prism splitting light High Resolution Solar Spectrum Sunlight in the broad sense is the total spectrum of the electromagnetic radiation given off by the Sun. ... This article needs additional references or sources for verification. ...

Genes

Genes can also have an influence on a person’s moles. This stylistic schematic diagram shows a gene in relation to the double helix structure of DNA and to a chromosome (right). ...

Dysplastic nevi or atypical mole syndrome is a hereditary condition which causes the person to have a large quantity of moles (often 100 or more) with some larger than normal or atypical. This often leads to a higher risk of melanoma, a serious skin cancer.^[3] A slight majority of melanomas do not form in an existing mole, but rather create a new growth on the skin. Nevertheless, those with more dysplastic nevi are at a higher risk of this type of melanoma occurrence.^[4][5]Such persons need to be checked regularly for any changes in their moles and to note any new ones. For the scientific journal Heredity see Heredity (journal) Heredity (the adjective is hereditary) is the transfer of characters from parent to offspring, either through their genes or through the social institution called inheritance (for example, a title of nobility is passed from individual to individual according to relevant customs and... Lets talk about risk control strategies, anyone with more information and willing to share, please do so. ... Melanoma is a malignant tumor of melanocytes which are found predominantly in skin but also in the bowel and the eye (see uveal melanoma). ... Skin cancer is a malignant growth on the skin which can have many causes. ... A majority is a subset of a group that is more than half of the entire group. ... Growth can mean increase in spatial number or complexity for concrete entities in time or increase in some other dimension for abstract or hard-to-measure entities. ... Person, in the classic sense, refers to a living human being. ...

Appearance

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, the most common types of moles are skin tags, raised moles and flat moles. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) is the largest organization of dermatologists in the world. ... Skin tag on adult females upper cheek. ...

Untroublesome moles are usually circular or oval and not very large.

If malignant

It often requires a dermatologist to fully evaluate moles. For instance, a small blue or bluish black spot, often called a “blue nevus”, is usually benign but often mistaken for melanoma.^[6] Conversely, a junctional nevus, which develops at the junction of the dermis and epidermis, is potentially cancerous.^[7]

A basic reference chart used for consumers to spot suspicious moles is found in the mnemonic, A-B-C-D. The letters stand for Asymmetry, Border, Color and Diameter. Sometimes, the letter E (for Evolving) is added. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, if a mole starts changing in size, color, shape or, especially, if the border of a mole develops ragged edges or becomes larger than a pencil eraser, it would be an appropriate time to consult with a physician. Other warning signs include a mole, even if smaller than a pencil eraser, that is different than the others and begins to crust over, bleed, itch, or becomes inflamed. The changes may indicate developing melanomas. The matter can become clinically complicated because mole removal depends on which types of cancer, if any, comes into suspicion. This article does not cite any references or sources. ... In economics, consumers are individuals or households that consume goods and services generated within the economy. ... Not to be confused with pneumonic. ... Self-illuminating Border flower pot between Burghausen, Salzach(river) in Germany and Ach in Austria. ... This article is about the handwriting instrument. ... A pencil eraser. ... An itch (Latin: pruritus) is an uncomfortable sensation felt on an area of skin that causes a person or animal to desire to scratch that area. ... Inflammation is the first response of the immune system to infection or irritation and may be referred to as the innate cascade. ... Melanoma is a malignant tumour of melanocytes. ...

Complications

Experts say that vast majority of moles are benign. Nonetheless, the National (U.S.) Cancer Institute reported 59,940 new cases of melanoma by June, 2007, with 8,110 deaths.^[8] Look up Benign in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Melanoma is a malignant tumor of melanocytes which are found predominantly in skin but also in the bowel and the eye (see uveal melanoma). ...

Prevention

Sun exposure may drive up the total number of moles and cause them to become darker. Because studies have found that sunburns and too much time in the sun can increase the risk factors for melanoma, the American Academy of Dermatology recommends: The Sun (Latin: ) is the star at the center of the Solar System. ...

• Staying out of the sun between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.
• Forgoing tanning booths
• Wearing sun block, a hat and sunglasses outdoors

Mole Removal

If a mole is highly suspicious of being a melanoma, then it might need to be removed. Other reasons of removal are for cosmetic or other reasons.

They can be removed by laser, surgery or electrocautery. They leave a red mark on the site which morphs back to the patient’s usual skin color in about two weeks. However, there might still be a risk of spread of the melanoma, so the methods of Molanoma-diagnosis, including e.g. excitional biopsy. Color is an important part of the visual arts. ... Melanoma is a malignant tumor of melanocytes which are found predominantly in skin but also in the bowel and the eye (see uveal melanoma). ...

Laser

In properly trained hands, some medical lasers are used to remove flat moles level with the surface of the skin, as well as some raised moles.

While laser treatment is commonly offered and may require several appointments, other dermatologists think lasers are not the best method for removing moles because the laser only cauterizes or, in certain cases, removes very superficial levels of skin. Moles tend to go deeper into the skin than non-invasive lasers can penetrate. Cauterization is a medical term describing the burning of the body to remove or close a part of it. ... Superficial is a general term meaning regarding the surface, often metaphorically. ...

Healing

After a laser treatment a scab is formed, which falls off about seven days later, in contrast to surgery, where the fissure has to be stitched with sutures. Scab can refer to the following: Look up scab in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... It has been suggested that suture material be merged into this article or section. ...

Surgery

Many dermatologic and plastic surgeons first use a freezing solution, usually liquid nitrogen, on a raised mole and then shave it away with a scalpel. If the surgeon opts for the shaving method, he or she usually also cauterizes the stump. Making a saline water solution by dissolving table salt (NaCl) in water This article is about chemical solutions. ... General Name, Symbol, Number nitrogen, N, 7 Chemical series nonmetals Group, Period, Block 15, 2, p Appearance colorless gas Standard atomic weight 14. ... A scalpel is a very sharp knife used for surgery, anatomical dissection, and various arts and crafts. ... Partial hand amputation For the song Amputations by Death Cab for Cutie, see You Can Play These Songs with Chords Amputation is the removal of a body extremity by trauma (also referred to as avulsion) or surgery. ...

Because a circle is difficult to close with stitches, the incision is usually elliptical or eye-shaped. Circle illustration This article is about the shape and mathematical concept of circle. ... Cutting is the separation of a physical object, or a portion of a physical object, into two portions, through the application of an acutely directed force. ... Elliptical may refer to: Ellipse: a shape and mathematical construct Elliptical trainer: an exercise machine This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ...

Electrocautery

Electrocautery is also used for removing skin tags and only reaches the outermost level of skin so that scarring is not a problem. Cauterization is a medical term describing the burning of the body to remove or close a part of it. ...

References

External Links

• Examples of moles that illustrate A-B-C-D warnings
• National Cancer Institute Information on Moles
• Moles in a nutshell from the American Academy of Dermatology

See also

• Birthmark
• Freckle