- Medical Dermatology
Moles
Also known as nevi. Most moles are harmless, but knowing what to watch for, and getting regular skin checks, is the best protection against skin cancer.
Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Craig Singer evaluates moles and screens for skin cancer at his Bingham Farms practice.
Quick facts
Nevi (singular: nevus)
What it is
Watch for
What are Moles?
Frequently asked questions
Why people get moles, what causes them, whether they are genetic, what to look for (the ABCDEs), and benign vs dysplastic moles.
Why do some people have so many moles?
Some people are simply more prone to developing moles than others. The most common factors are fair skin, a family history of many moles, hormones, and sun exposure. Most moles are harmless, but people with more than 50 to 100 moles on their skin are felt to be at higher risk for melanoma and should be examined by a dermatologist.
What causes moles?
A mole (nevus) is a benign collection of pigment cells (melanocytes). It is not fully understood why moles develop, but the factors that increase your tendency to get them include fair skin, family history, hormones, and sun exposure.
Are moles genetic or hereditary?
Do some ethnicities get more moles?
Yes. People with fair, Caucasian skin are more prone to developing moles. African-Americans and Asians are more likely than Caucasians to develop moles on the palms, soles, and nail beds (acral nevi).
When do moles develop?
Some people are born with moles (AKA congenital moles), however most are acquired after birth. The majority of moles tend to erupt during early childhood and then again around puberty. By in large, the vast majority of moles will be obvious by 30 years of age. Development of a new mole after 30 years of age (and particularly after 40 to 50 years of age) is much less common and would therefore warrant examination by a dermatologist to exclude the possibility of skin cancer. Interestingly, it is not uncommon for moles to spontaneously regress and disappear later in life.
What do I look for when I examine my moles?
Most people have one or two populations of moles that look similar to one another, also known as “signature nevi.” If a mole looks unique and different than a person’s other moles (i.e. “ugly duckling”), it is best to undergo skin examination by a dermatologist. Remembering the ABCDE’s of moles is also helpful.
Those people with more than 50 to 100 moles on their skin surface are felt to be at higher risk for melanoma.
What do benign moles look like?
Benign moles are uniform in color, with even borders and good symmetry. Some are flat, while others are raised, and some have a combination of both components. Benign moles tend to have normal “ABCDEs.”
What do dysplastic (AKA atypical) moles look like?
Dysplastic moles (AKA atypical nevi) are characterized by larger size, multiple colors, ill-defined borders and asymmetry. Despite the fact that many of these moles may look suspicious for melanoma, they are not considered cancerous when examined under a microscope. It is sometimes difficult for a dermatologist to know whether a mole represents an atypical nevus or melanoma, and therefore biopsy is often necessary to distinguish between the two.
People with atypical nevi are felt to be at higher risk for melanoma.
Are dysplastic (AKA atypical) moles cancerous?
No, they are not. Dysplastic moles occupy an intermediate position on a continuum, with common benign moles on one end and melanoma at the other end. The relationship between atypical nevi and melanoma is complex. The odds of any individual atypical mole turning into melanoma is quite low; however, those patients with multiple atypical moles are felt to be at higher risk of developing melanoma, in general.
How do I interpret my biopsy report?
Most pathologists grade atypical moles as either mild, moderate or severe. In general, a mildly atypical mole is felt to have a very low risk of turning into melanoma, and therefore requires no further treatment other than periodic monitoring.
Moderate atypical moles are more controversial. In general, it is recommended to re-excise (i.e. remove with stitches) a moderately atypical mole, if the mole was not completely removed at the time of biopsy. If, however, the moderately atypical mole was felt to be completely removed at the time of biopsy (with clear margins), then it is usually safe to monitor for clinical recurrence (i.e. observe for dark pigmentation at the biopsy site).
Severely atypical moles are much more concerning with a higher risk of turning into melanoma, and therefore, usually require a wide excision to ensure complete removal regardless of the initial margins on biopsy.
Those patients with atypical moles should undergo monthly self examinations to monitor for any changes in his/her moles, as well as an annual full-body skin examination with a dermatologist. Certain patients may need more frequent monitoring depending upon biopsy results, clinical findings and family history.
Sources
- Bolognia, Jorizzo and Rapini. Dermatology, Second edition, chapter 112: Benign Melanocytic Neoplasms.
- DermNet: Melanocytic naevus (mole)
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About Dr. Craig Singer MD Dermatology
Located in Bingham Farms, Craig Singer MD Dermatology was founded in 2017 by Dr. Craig Singer, a board-certified dermatologist.
We specialize in medical, surgical and cosmetic dermatology, treating patients of all ages, newborn through elderly. We have expertise in a wide variety of skin conditions including eczema, acne, and warts as well as complicated dermatological issues that include hair loss and autoimmune disease. In addition, we are highly skilled in the evaluation of moles and skin cancer.
For more than 20 years, Dr. Craig Singer has helped thousands of patients look and feel their best.
20+ Years
Trusted by Thousands
Board-Certified
Dermatologist & Pediatrician
