Everything You Need To know About Moles

Moles or melanocytic nevus is a type of lesion that contains nevus cells. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, the majority of moles appear during the first two decades of a person's life, while about one in every 100 babies is born with moles. The high concentration of the body's pigmenting agent, melanin, is responsible for their dark color. Moles are members of the family of skin lesions known as nevi.

Types of Moles

There are different types or classifications of moles or melanocytic nevus today, majority of which are usually found in new born babies. Types of melanocytic nevus include:

*

Junctional nevus: the nevus cells are located along the junction of the epithelium and the underlying dermis. A junctional nevus is flat and brown to black.
*

Compound nevus: a mixture of junctional and intradermal proliferation. Compound nevi are slightly raised and brown to black. Beauty marks are usually compound nevi of either the acquired variety or congenital variety.
*

Intradermal nevus: the nevus cells are located in the dermis only. Intradermal nevi are raised; most are flesh-colored (not pigmented).
*

Dysplastic nevus (nevus of Clark): usually a compound nevus with cellular and architectural dysplasia. Like typical moles, dysplastic nevi can be flat or raised.
*

Blue nevus: It is blue in color as its melanocytes are very deep in the skin.
*

Spitz nevus: a distinct variant of intradermal nevus, usually in a child.
*

Acquired nevus: Any melanocytic nevus that is not a congenital nevus or not present at birth or near birth.
*

Congenital nevus: Small to large nevus present at or near time of birth.
*

Intramucosal nevus: junctional nevus of the mucosa of the mouth or genital areas.
*

Nevus of Ito and Nevus of Ota: congenital, flat brownish lesions on the face or shoulder.
*

Mongolian spot: congenital large, deep, bluish discoloration on the back of Asian babies.
*

Recurrent nevus: Any incompletely removed nevus with residual melanocytes left in the surgical wound.

Causes

According to montclair dermatology centers, moles can be caused by genes or hereditary or from the sun.

Genes can have an influence on a person's moles. Dysplastic nevi and atypical mole syndrome are hereditary conditions which causes a person to have a large quantity of moles (often 100 or more) with some larger than normal or atypical. This often leads to a higher risk of melanoma, a serious skin cancer.
UV Radiation from the sun causes premature aging of the skin and skin damage that can lead to melanoma. Some scientists hypothesize that overexposure to UV, including excessive sunlight, may play a role in the formation of acquired moles. However, more research is needed to determine the complex interaction between genetic makeup and overall exposure to ultraviolet light.

Complications
Experts, such as the American Academy of Dermatology and those from montclair dermatology centers, say that vast majority of moles are benign. Nonetheless, the U.S. National Cancer Institute estimated that 62,480 new cases of melanoma and 8,420 related deaths would appear in the United States in the year 2008.

Mole Removal and Complications

First, a diagnosis must be made. If the lesion is a seborrheic keratosis, shave excision, electrodessication or cryosurgery may be performed - usually leaving very little if any scarring. If the lesion is suspected to be a skin cancer, a skin biopsy must be done first, before considering removal. This is unless an excisional biopsy is warranted. If the lesion is a melanocytic nevus - one has to decide if it is medically indicated or not. Many insurance companies will not pay for cosmetic removal of benign moles.