“Questionable looking mole that could be cancer?”
My 13-year-old son has a questionable looking mole that is becomingly increasingly dark with time. Could it be cancer? Questionable looking mole that could be cancer?
7 Answers
If the mole is itching or painful. If the mole is bleeding or becoming crusty. If the mole looks inflamed. In addition, if you have a dark mole with variegate color, increased in size, irregular borders, faster growing. Please, contact a dermatologist for a final diagnosis and procedure. Most of the time they will give you the options, after complete medical examination. Thank you.
Good morning. Any mole that changes quickly in character, particularly with regards to size, irregularity, darkness or pigmentation or bleeding, should be seen by a dermatologist. Although rare, malignant melanoma does occur in children and abnormal looking or changing moles should be evaluated properly.
Any suspicious or pigmented lesions should be examined by a dermatologist.
It is important you have your son's mole looked at by his Pediatrician and/or Dermatologist to determine if it should be worked up further for cancer. It is good you are keeping an eye on it.
Most moles are benign. The criteria for cancerous moles are if it’s evolving or becoming larger quickly, discolored, irregular bordered, asymmetrical, diameter size. Please consult a dermatologist for evaluation.
Sandra L. Aponte
Pathologist
Yes, if they bleed, change color, change size, or hurt, take them off. See a surgeon or dermatologist.
Moles often change in size and color over time. Both benign and malignant ones do that. The best way to evaluate a mole is to seek consultation with a dermatologist.
