If you have darker skin or dark hair, your moles may be darker than those of people with fairer skin. Atypical moles can appear anywhere on your body. Atypical moles are often on the trunk, but you can also get them on your neck, head, or scalp. They rarely appear on the face. Benign atypical moles may have some of the same characteristics as melanoma a type of skin cancer. Atypical moles have the potential to become cancerous. If members of your family have a lot of atypical moles, you may have familial atypical multiple mole melanoma FAMMM syndrome.
Your risk of melanoma is New moles may be benign or they may be cancerous. Genetic mutations are likely involved. A research study reported that genetic mutations of the BRAF gene were present in 78 percent of benign acquired moles. BRAF mutations are known to be involved in melanoma.
The interaction of ultraviolet light UV , both natural and artificial, with DNA is known to cause genetic damage that can lead to the development of melanoma and other skin cancers. The sun exposure can occur during childhood or young adulthood and only much later result in skin cancer.
New moles are more likely to become cancerous. A review of case studies found that When an old mole changes, or when a new mole appears in adulthood, you should see a doctor to check it out. Melanoma is the deadliest skin cancer, but new moles or spots may also be basal cell or squamous cell cancers. These usually appear in areas that are exposed to the sun, such as your face, head, and neck. Checking your skin regularly can help you spot mole changes.
More than half of skin cancers occur on parts of your body that you can easily see. The most common body sites for melanoma in women are the arms and legs.
Non-Caucasians have a lower risk for melanoma in general. But the melanoma locations are different for people of color. Typical sites for melanoma among non-Caucasians are:. Note that self-checks can often miss changes in moles, according to a study of people at high risk for melanoma.
Moles that appear in adulthood should always be checked by a doctor. If you have a mole that changes, especially one that meets one or more of the criteria in the ABCDE guide above, see a doctor right away. The good news is that early detection of melanoma leads to significant survival benefits. Accessed Oct. Argenziano G, et al. Twenty nevi on the arms: A simple rule to identify patients younger than 50 years of age at higher risk for melanoma. European Journal of Cancer Prevention.
Wise J. Number of moles could predict breast cancer risk. Wolff K, et al. Melanoma precursors and primary cutaneous melanoma. New York, N. Prevention guidelines. Skin Cancer Foundation. Gibson LE expert opinion. Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. What does a mole look like? National Cancer Institute. Common moles, dysplastic nevi, and risk of melanoma. Hawryluk EB, et al. Pediatric melanoma, moles, and sun safety. Pediatric Clinics of North America. American Academy of Dermatology.
Sunscreen: How to help protect your skin from the sun. Food and Drug Administration. Skin cancer including melanoma — Patient version. Niederhuber JE, et al. In: Abeloff's Clinical Oncology. Philadelphia, Pa. Habif TP. These moles rarely develop into cancer. However, people who have more than 50 common moles may have a higher chance of developing melanoma, according to the National Institutes of Health NIH.
Congenital moles, or birthmarks , are present at birth. Congenital moles can vary drastically in size with some being quite large. However, figures may vary from study to study. Atypical moles, or dysplastic nevi, can develop anywhere on the body and usually appear larger than other mole types.
Their color and texture can vary, and they usually have an uneven border that fades into the surrounding skin. According to the American Cancer Society , some atypical moles may become cancerous.
However, most atypical moles do not develop into melanomas. Since atypical moles may show some similar characteristics to melanoma, people should visit their dermatologist to be sure that there are no concerns. This rare type of mole looks a lot like melanoma, but it is not cancerous. It usually develops in fair skinned children and young people under 20 years old.
Sometimes, doctors find it difficult to distinguish between a spitz nevus and melanoma and may recommend its removal as a preventive measure. Spitz nevi grow quickly and can vary in size from millimeters to a centimeter or so in diameter. Other characteristics of spitz nevi include:. Although most moles are benign, people should see their doctor if they notice a new mole or recent changes to existing moles.
ABCDE stands for:. Some dermatologists may recommend that people take monthly pictures of areas with lots of moles, such as the back, in order to spot changes. Checking areas such as the nails, feet, and hands are also important as melanomas can also arise in these locations.
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