Our skin is dotted with a few to over a hundred of these little brown spots that we call moles. Some disappear and others appear in our lifetime. However, it is very important to monitor their development and thus prevent certain skin cancers, especially melanoma, as soon as possible.
The mole or nevus: What is it?
The mole, also called nevus (naevi in the plural), is a cluster of pigment cells (melanocytes) in the skin. These melanocytic cells, brown in color, are the cells that cause tanning. They accumulate at the dermo-epidermal junction of the skin, thus forming benign melanocytic tumors: the beauty spot (or point).
What does a mole look like?
The nevus is a small brown spot. It can also be a small pink or brown skin size. Moles usually have a dark color, but sometimes they are red, pink or blue.
Where do we find the mole?
The nevi are more numerous on the areas exposed to the sun: the shoulders, the back, the legs etc. They can also appear on the nails. In this case, the nevus will form a dark band on the nail (Ungual nevus).
When does it appear?
Moles appear after birth (between 6 months and a year), and then throughout childhood and adolescence. The appearance of naevi is influenced by sun exposure: this will vary their number, their size but also their degenerative potential.
The different types of mole
The common or acquired nevus: This is the most common nevus, present in all individuals. It appears after birth.
The congenital nevus: It is present from birth and can cover a large area of skin. If it is more than 20 centimeters, we will call it "giant".
The atypical or dysplastic nevus: It is a benign nevus but with an irregular outline, or several colors. It is important to monitor this type of nevus as it represents an increased risk of developing melanoma.
Why and how to monitor your moles?
Why watch your moles?
It is important to watch your skin and especially your moles. Indeed, melanoma, the most serious skin cancer, can look like a nevus when it first appears or in some cases, quite rare, it comes from a malignant transformation of an already existing nevus.
How to monitor your moles?
It is necessary to do self-examinations every month or two and make a visit to the dermatologist once a year.
Self-monitoring allows you to familiarize yourself with your skin and more easily identify new lesions or any change in pre-existing naevi from the top of your skull to the tips of your feet. It is important to show any nevus that appears and is different from the others to a doctor.
The ABCD (E) rule identifies a change in the appearance of a nevus (which would not be initially atypical).
A - Asymmetrical: we draw an imaginary line in the middle of the nevus and the two parts do not have the same shape.
B - Irregular edges: the edges are not sharp, they are jagged.
C - Different colors: the mole is several colors.
D - Diameter: the diameter of the nevus is greater than 6 millimeters (As a guide: a pencil eraser is 6 millimeters).
E - Evolution: Here it is a question of identifying any change in size, shape, color of a mole, if it becomes crusty, if it bleeds at the slightest trauma ... In this case, it is necessary consult a doctor to check if it is not a melanoma beginner.
Dermatologist examination
It is important to have your moles monitored once a year by a dermatologist.
The dermatologist is the doctor specialized in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of diseases related to the skin, the subcutaneous cellular tissue, the mucous membranes and the appendages of the skin (hair, nails, hair).
During the consultation, the dermatologist performs a dermoscopy. Using his dermoscope, he will observe the nevi present on the skin. This device allows him to have an enlarged visualization of the mole and to clearly see its structure and its colors. This helps differentiate the mole from melanoma.
When should you have your moles removed?
Excision is a surgical procedure to remove the potentially dangerous nevus. The dermatologist performs it under local anesthesia. The part removed during the excision is then analyzed to diagnose the presence or not of melanoma.
The excision is carried out either:
at the request of the patient: for aesthetic reasons or physical discomfort. Be careful, there is a risk of unsightly scarring.
To establish a diagnosis or as a prevention: in the case of a suspicious nevus.
In the case of a giant congenital nevus, intervention is proposed very soon after birth to remove it. Here, dermabrasion, or laser, or curettage will generally be practiced.
The precautions to take to take care of your skin and your moles
Self-monitor once a month and consult your dermatologist once a year and if there is any doubt of a change in appearance of the nevus!
Social Security sets up a specific melanoma screening consultation without the need to go through your doctor once a year for people more prone to melanoma, namely:
People with a skin type I phototype: fair skin, blue eyes, fair hair,
People with a personal or family history of melanoma,
People with a high number of nevi, or large nevi, or atypical,
People with a history of sunburn, or too intense sun exposure without sunscreen.
And then you have to protect your skin from the sun!
It is important not to be exposed to the sun without protection. Long sleeves, pants and a wide-brimmed hat are necessary in summer. Finally, frequenting tanning salons is not recommended. (In addition, tanned skin does not protect from the sun's rays!)
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