Nevus - Moles
Treatment Duration
30
Suggested Sessions
2-4 times/year
What is a nevus?
The nevus, or body mole, is a skin formation that is due to the proliferation of melanocytes in specific parts of the body.
Melanocytes are responsible for skin color and protect from sunlight by producing melanin, a substance that makes skin darker.
Thus, each nevus - mole, can have different colors, from dark or light brown, or skin color.
A nevus can have many different shapes, colors or shapes, so it is often confused with other skin conditions such as papillomas, seborrheic hyperkeratosis, etc.
Most mole nevi have a good clinical picture, but there are some with suspicious features called atypical or dysplastic nevi.
They may be present in the body from birth (congenital nevi) or manifest during life (acquired nevi), which is perfectly normal.
Moles are more common in areas of the body that are exposed to sunlight!
Nevus images
In the photos below there are normal but also suspected malignant nevi.
Main points of appearence
- Face
- Neck
- Scalp
- Hands
- Legs
Categories & Types of nevi
It is important to emphasize that the nevi - moles, are always good. This applies to those who have a good clinical picture, but also to atypical - dysplastic nevi.
However, it is very important to properly assess atypical - dysplastic nevi because they can be a risk for melanoma.
Melanoma is a malignant skin cancer that looks like a dysplastic nevus in its early stages.
In other words, this is not a dysplastic nevus that developed into melanoma, but the melanoma that mimics the irregular shape and color of a dysplastic nevus.
For this reason, nevi are divided into categories according to their shape, so that melanoma can be diagnosed early.
The forms that a mole can have are varied both in their shape and in their color.
- Congenital melanocytic nevus:
It is present in the body from birth, usually in a round, domed or oval shape, with a light or dark brown color, or even in the color of the skin. In some cases it may have hairs in the center or contour and rarely has suspicious features for melanoma.
- Acquired melanocytic nevus:
Appears during life on the body and face. It includes many types of nevi as the shape and color is very varied and may have a good clinical picture or suspicious features for malignant melanoma.
Acquired nevi often look like moles, papillomas, seborrheic hyperkeratosis, hemangiomas and various other skin lesions.
Moles, are very common, as they are present in all adults, in some even in large numbers.
Examination & Diagnosis of nevi
The correct examination for the diagnosis of suspicious nevi - moles should be done by a specialized Dermatologist - Venereologist with the help of methods such as dermatoscopy, mapping and nevus biopsy.
- During the dermatoscopy, the dermatoscope is used, a tool that, with the help of a magnifying glass and light, reveals to the dermatologist the characteristics of the nevus - moles, in order to determine whether it is a suspicious nevus or not.
- Moles mapping is a method that is mainly applied to people with large numbers of nevi on their body. When a person has 2-3 suspicious moles on his body, it is advisable to proceed with the removal with the available methods. But if, for example, someone has more than 50 nevi on their body (which is perfectly normal), of which 30 are suspected, it is more practical to perform a nevi mapping each year to detect malignant melanoma early. Therefore, with the mapping of moles, all the moles in the body are counted and examined and recorded in order to be compared in the next mapping.
- The biopsy is, of course, preceded by the examination and diagnosis of a nevus as a suspect, its removal, surgically and sent to the laboratory for analysis of melanocyte DNA to determine if it is a dysplastic nevus, or melanoma.
Removal & Treatment of nevi
The nevi - moles, are removed mainly for preventive, medical and aesthetic reasons.
The method of nevus removal is decided after discussion with the Dermatologist - Venereologist or Plastic Surgeon.
Laser nevus removal
The mole is removed with a CO2 sublimation laser only when it is definitely a benign lesion and when there is no possibility of scarring at the site of the mole. This is a method we do not often choose at Facemed, as in most cases, histological confirmation of the nevus to be removed is needed.
Tangential Shave Excision
After using xylocaine local anesthesia, the nevus is removed with a blade and sent for biopsy.
Sophilus surgical resection
In cases where the nevus is flat or there is a suspicion of malignancy, local anesthesia is performed and then the doctor proceeds to the surgical resection of the nevus together with its perimeter borders, to be sent for biopsy. Finally, sutures are used which are removed after about 10 days.
If a nevus changes shape and color, itches or bleeds, it should be examined immediately, both for the early diagnosis of melanoma and for the prevention of infections.
Ask The Doctor
Dr. Loizidis Christoforos
Dermatologist - Venereologist
210 69 29 999
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Atopic Dermatitis is a chronic skin disease of allergic etiology and often has an inherited predisposition.
Vitiligo: What is it and how is it treated?
Vitiligo is a chronic disease characterized by the appearance of white spots on the skin. These white spots are the result of melanocyte dysfunction at the site of onset.
Psoriasis: Factors, Symptoms and Treatment
Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease, which manifests itself with skin lesions but sometimes also affects the joints. The skin lesions appear as rose plaques with white scales on them.
Papillae
Cutaneous papillae are benign small, soft lumps that look like moles and manifest in various parts of the body.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a nevus turn into melanoma?
The nevus, even the dysplastic one with an irregular shape and color, cannot turn into melanoma.
Melanoma, however, mimics the form of dysplastic nevi in its initial stage, i.e. it is "hidden" with a harmless form up to, which is clearly manifested with a different color and shape.
After the nevus is removed or resected, is there a possibility of cancer?
When the nevus is removed, there is no risk of melanoma appearing at the specific point as the borders of the nevus are removed, as well as the deeper layers of the skin on which the nevus was.
How do I know if it is a dysplastic nevus or melanoma?
Separation cannot be done with the naked eye. It should be done after examination by a dermatologist with the dermatoscope, or in case of too many nevi, regular monitoring is done with the mapping of nevi.
Is it normal for a person to display new olives during his lifetime, or to change the ones that already exist?
Yes, it is completely normal, since on average new moles can appear up to the age of 40-50 years. After this age many times the nevi may even subside or subside completely.
Are genital moles dangerous?
If it is really moles, then there is no serious reason for concern, if of course an examination by a dermatologist for the correct diagnosis. Dysplastic nevi on the genitals can look like warts, which are lesions caused by the HPV virus, which is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases. Therefore the examination by a Dermatologist - Venereologist is considered necessary!