Moles

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Moles are growths on the skin. They happen when cells in the skin, called melanocytes, grow in a cluster with tissue surrounding them. Moles are very common. Most people have between 10 and 40 moles. A person may develop new moles from time to time, usually until about age 40.

Moles are usually pink, tan or brown. They can be flat or raised. They are usually round or oval and no larger than a pencil eraser.

About one out of every ten people has at least one unusual (or atypical) mole that looks different from an ordinary mole. The medical term for these unusual moles is dysplastic nevi. They may be more likely than ordinary moles to develop into melanoma, a type of skin cancer. Because of this, you should have a healthcare professional check your moles if they look unusual, grow larger, change in color or outline, or in any other way.

NIH: National Cancer Institute

Provided by: NIH - National Institute of Health

Links shared publicly online about this topic

Removing a Mole ~ Mole Removal Concerns

realself.com — “Answer from Sanusi Umar, MD: Both a dermatologist and/or a plastic surgeon can get remove the mole for you successfully. Some questions you may want to ask...View full resource at realself.com

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Most Recently Shared on August 27, 2010 at 6:22 am By:

Moles, Freckles and Skin Tags

webmd.com — “Learn about moles, freckles, skin tags, seborrheic keratoses, and lentigines -- nearly always non-cancerous skin lesions.View full resource at webmd.com

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Most Recently Shared on March 19, 2010 at 8:15 am By:

Moles, Dysplastic Nevi, and Melanoma

disabled-world.com — “Moles are usually tan brown or pink in color and may be either raised or flat approximately one in every ten people has at least one unusual form of moleView full resource at disabled-world.com

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Most Recently Shared on October 14, 2010 at 8:59 pm By:

Long Beach, CA Dermatologist Robert M. Miller MD – Moles and Growths - Skin Moles, Atypical Moles, Congenital Moles, Acquired Moles, Pigmented Growths

robertmillermd.com — “Dermatologist Dr. Robert M. Miller of Long Beach, California provides evaluation and treatment of moles and pigmented growths as well as general dermatology, cosmetic, aesthetics, skin care, acne and skin condition treatment in Long Beach, CA, Los Angeles, Orange County, Riverside County and San Diego County.View full resource at robertmillermd.com

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Most Recently Shared on July 28, 2011 at 8:05 pm By:

robertmillermd Robert Miller M.D. Physician, Doctor, and Dermatologist

Change in moles such as growth, color change and texture may all be symptoms of #melanoma. More about moles & growths: http://ow.ly/5PPzk

10 months ago...

Mole Removal Results ~ Can a Mole Be Removed Without Leaving a Scar?

realself.com — “Answer from Sanusi Umar, MD: Almost all mole removals will leave somewhat of a scar. But it is possible to remove a mole without leaving a scar; HOWEVER,...View full resource at realself.com

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Most Recently Shared on August 27, 2010 at 6:22 am By:

Options for Mole Removal ~ Options for Removing Flat, Brown Facial Moles?

realself.com — “Answer from Sanusi Umar, MD: Surgical excisions, and laser treatments are some procedures you can look into for your mole removal. But my advice to you...View full resource at realself.com

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Most Recently Shared on September 17, 2010 at 11:49 pm By:

How are dysplastic nevi moles different biologically than regular moles?

talkabouthealth.com — “Dysplastic nevi are generally larger than ordinary moles and have irregular and indistinct borders. They have 'funny looking' or 'atypical' melanocytes (the beView full resource at talkabouthealth.com

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Most Recently Shared on March 24, 2012 at 4:12 pm By:

talkabouthealth TalkAboutHealth Support

How are dysplastic nevi moles different biologically than regular moles? @beitsch http://t.co/pd7FfPI4 #bcsm #melanoma #skincancer #cancer

2 months ago...

Fraxel Laser for Mole Removal Scar ~ Fraxel Laser for Mole Removal Scar ?

realself.com — “Answer from Michael A. Persky, MD: Hi Cub, You may start Fraxel restore treatments on your fresh scar about 10 to 14 days after your mole removal. Good...View full resource at realself.com

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Most Recently Shared on September 12, 2009 at 6:10 am By:

What is a Mole? | HealthGuru

beauty-grooming.healthguru.com — “"It's a beauty mark, not a mole!View full resource at beauty-grooming.healthguru.com

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Most Recently Shared on May 6, 2011 at 4:08 pm By:

healthvideos Health Guru Health Site

May is Skin Cancer Detection & Prevention Month. To honor it, find out how to inspect your moles for signs of cancer. http://ow.ly/4OQbH

1 year ago...

Whac-a-Mole Cardiology

heartcurrents.com — “Whac-a-Mole From the article: Call it Whac-a-Mole Cardiology: yes, an angiogram or ultrasound may identify a series of blockages, but we still can'tView full resource at heartcurrents.com

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Most Recently Shared on March 22, 2011 at 5:20 pm By:

What is a Mole? | HealthGuru

beauty-grooming.healthguru.com — “"It's a beauty mark, not a mole!View full resource at beauty-grooming.healthguru.com

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Most Recently Shared on March 16, 2011 at 10:15 pm By:

healthvideos Health Guru Health Site

How do you examine your moles using the A, B, C and S method. What do these letters stand for? Find out! http://ow.ly/4fEpR

1 year ago...

Hydatidiform Mole: eMedicine Obstetrics and Gynecology

emedicine.medscape.com — “Overview: Gestational trophoblastic disease encompasses several disease processes that originate in the placenta. These include complete and partial moles, placental site trophoblastic tumors, choriocarcinomas, and invasive moles. Almost all women with malignant gestational trophoblastic disease can be ...View full resource at emedicine.medscape.com

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Most Recently Shared on January 29, 2010 at 9:03 pm By:

Moles: Dr. Mejia Explains Dysplastic Nevi

dermatologyandhair.com — “A dysplastic nevi is an irregular mole. We all have many different types of moles in our body that need to be sent to biopsy.View full resource at dermatologyandhair.com

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Most Recently Shared on April 12, 2011 at 5:48 pm By:

skinandhairdoc Ricardo Mejia M.D. Doctor, Dermatologist, and Physician

Dr. Mejia explains Moles: "Dysplastic Nevi Is Not A Cancerous Mole" (video) #skincancer #prevention #melanoma http://ow.ly/4yG2Q

1 year ago...

Gluten-Free Vegan Family: Chili Mole'

glutenfreeveganfam.blogspot.com — “Gluten-Free Vegan Family: Chili Mole'View full resource at glutenfreeveganfam.blogspot.com

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Most Recently Shared on November 18, 2009 at 7:54 pm By:

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