Are moles the precursors of melanoma? Be careful when these 4 changes occur on moles on your body!

gossip

Recently, the 36-year-old singer Zhang Hengyuan passed away due to melanoma. #Melanoma# immediately became a hot search on Weibo, attracting the attention of many netizens. At the same time, it also made many netizens panic, because many people have had moles on their bodies, so, could the moles on their bodies also be dangerous "time bombs"? What's even more frightening is that there are rumors that moles are the precursors of melanoma and will turn malignant sooner or later. Is this really the case? Let's analyze it in detail today.

Weibo screenshot

What is a mole?

Will a mole definitely develop into melanoma?

Pigmented nevus is composed of nevus cells and is a benign skin tumor, also known as cellular nevus and melanocytic nevus. It usually appears as black or brown spots or protrusions, with black being more common. Most people begin to have them in childhood, and may have 10-40 in adulthood. According to the distribution of nevus cells, they are divided into junctional nevus, mixed nevus and intradermal nevus.

Pigmented moles are generally harmless, and the vast majority of them will not develop into melanoma! However, even if only a small number of them may develop into melanoma, we still cannot take it lightly!

What is melanoma?

You may be familiar with the term skin cancer, and the most harmful type is malignant melanoma. Melanoma is a highly malignant tumor originating from melanocytes. It is common on the surface of the skin, especially in areas that are frequently exposed to sunlight, such as the face, arms, and legs. However, it may also appear in other parts, such as the eyes, mouth, digestive tract, urinary tract, vagina, under the nails, palms, and heels. There are four main subtypes of melanoma:

1

Lentigo maligna melanoma

It is common in the elderly and occurs on areas of skin that are chronically exposed to the sun, most commonly the face. It appears as a macules with irregular borders that are unevenly colored gray or black.

Lentigo maligna melanoma

(Image source: Dermatology and Venereology (3rd Edition))

2

Superficial spreading malignant melanoma

It is the most common subtype of skin malignant melanoma, which is more common on the back of men and the legs of women. It often starts as a flat patch or plaque with scaling, which gradually develops into flaky blue or blue-black nodules. The color is mixed and variable, and can be different shades of brown, occasionally mixed with black, blue, and red. Superficial spreading malignant melanoma grows quickly, and infiltration, nodules, ulcers, or bleeding may occur within 2 years.

Superficial spreading malignant melanoma

(Image source: Dermatology and Venereology (3rd Edition))

3

Acral melanoma

This type of tumor is the most common type of tumor in blacks and Asians, and often occurs on the fingers, toes, and areas that bear pressure, such as the soles of the feet. It grows quickly and can spread to the surrounding areas or invade deep tissues. In the early stages, it appears as patches with irregular edges, which quickly turn into blue-black or black nodules, which may be accompanied by ulceration. It is highly malignant, with a 5-year survival rate of only 29%.

Acral melanoma

(Image source: Dermatology and Venereology (3rd Edition))

4

Nodular malignant melanoma

This is a highly malignant melanoma that most often occurs in exposed areas such as the head, neck, and trunk. The skin lesions initially appear as raised black or bluish-black plaques or nodules, which quickly grow into mushroom or cauliflower shapes, ulcerate or bleed, and are prone to early metastasis.

How to distinguish common pigmented nevus

And melanoma?

In order to distinguish melanoma from common pigmented nevi and other pigmented skin lesions, the National Cancer Institute of the United States proposed the "ABCD" early diagnosis method:

Asymmetry

Ordinary moles are mostly round or oval and symmetrical; melanoma is asymmetrical.

BBorder

Ordinary pigmented nevi have clear boundaries and a smooth surface; melanomas often have unclear boundaries, can spread to the surrounding skin, and have a rough and uneven surface.

C Color (Corlor)

Ordinary pigmented moles are mostly uniform in color and can be light brown, black, brown, and rarely pink; melanoma can be brown of varying shades, occasionally mixed with black, white, blue, and red.

D Diameter

Ordinary pigmented nevi are usually smaller than 5mm and remain stable for a long time; melanomas are mostly larger than 5mm and continue to grow.

From the above, we can see that if an ordinary pigmented mole on the body suddenly grows larger in a short period of time, has an irregular shape, irregular edges, and a significant change in color compared to before, you should pay attention and seek medical attention in time to determine whether there is any malignant change.

Who is prone to melanoma?

Melanoma is related to many factors. The following groups of people are more susceptible to melanoma and should pay more attention.

1

People who like to bask in the sun or sunbathe

People who spend a lot of time in the sun and are exposed to ultraviolet rays for a long time have a higher risk of developing melanoma.

2

People with fair skin

Melanoma is more common in people with light skin, which contains less melanin, a pigment that protects the skin from UV damage. But be aware that this doesn't mean people with darker skin are not at risk.

3

People whose skin is often traumatized and irritated

Trauma and irritation can cause benign pigmented skin diseases to become malignant. About 10-60% of melanoma patients have a history of trauma before the onset of the disease.

4

People with a family history or genetic factors

About 8-14% of melanomas have a family history, as evidenced by a susceptibility gene such as CDKN2A. The skin may be more sensitive or more easily damaged.

5

People with a weakened immune system

Low immune status is associated with the occurrence of melanoma. For example, if patients use immunosuppressants or suffer from immunodeficiency diseases such as AIDS, the immune system cannot effectively eliminate abnormal cells, making tumors, including melanoma, more likely to occur.

How can melanoma be prevented?

The previous article talked about the group of people who are more susceptible to melanoma, so next let’s talk about measures to prevent melanoma.

1

Avoid long-term sun exposure and take good sun protection

Try to avoid prolonged exposure to the sun, and if you go out during periods of strong sunlight, take sun protection measures, such as wearing protective clothing, hats, and applying sunscreen.

2

Check your skin regularly

Observe yourself for new or changed moles or other abnormal skin growths. If you find any suspicious changes (refer to the "ABCD" method), consult a professional doctor in time.

3

Be aware of your genetic risk

If you have a family history of melanoma, you should have regular skin exams and genetic testing to see if preventive treatment is needed.

4

Enhances immunity

Maintain good living habits and enhance your own resistance.

in conclusion

There is no need to panic about common moles, but don't take it lightly. Check them regularly to see if they grow suddenly, if the borders are blurred, if the edges are uneven, if the color changes. If there are any abnormalities, see a doctor immediately. You should also pay attention to sun protection and avoid prolonged exposure to the sun; avoid long-term friction and irritation of moles; develop good living habits, improve immunity, and strive to become a person who is "disdained" by melanoma!

Author: Meng Yao, MD, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University

Reviewer: Xu Min, deputy chief physician, Zhu Xianyi Memorial Hospital, Tianjin Medical University

The article is produced by "Science Refutes Facts" (ID: Science_Facts). Please indicate the source when reprinting.

The cover image of this article comes from the copyright library. Reprinting and quoting it may cause copyright disputes.