Skin Mole Symptoms and Causes

A usually noncancerous disorder of pigment-producing skin cells commonly called birth marks or moles.

Incidence: Common
○ On average we have about 15 moles per person though some have considerably more.
○ Treatment can help by removing individual lesions
○ Usually self-diagnosable
○ Lab tests may be required if the lesion is suspicious looking.
○ Chronic: can last for years or be lifelong

This type of mole can be large and caused by a disorder involving melanocytes, cells that produce pigment (melanin). Melanocytic nevi can be rough, flat, or raised. They can exist at birth or appear later. Rarely, melanocytic nevi can become cancerous. Most cases don't require treatment, but some cases require removal of the mole to ensure it is not in the process of changing. In many cases we will remove moles from the face for cosmetic reasons only.

Cause of moles: Moles are caused when cells in the skin (melanocytes) grow in clusters or clumps. Melanocytes are distributed throughout your skin and produce melanin, the natural pigment that gives your skin its color.