Types Of Moles: How Likely Will It Turn Into Cancer?

Most people have 40 to 100 moles by adulthood¹, some of which may be formed at birth and others appearing throughout the years. Moles may form during times of hormonal change, such as during puberty or pregnancy, or they may develop due to sun damage.

Most people think of moles as small dots less than 1 cm big, but there are also cases of moles that are larger, irregularly shaped, or raised. What you may not realise is that different kinds of moles have different potential to turn cancerous. Most moles are harmless, but some can develop into cancer, especially those that form later in life².

Here are the different types of moles and their risk of turning into cancer:

Congenital moles

Congenital moles are commonly called ‘birthmarks’. These are found in 0.2 to 2.1% of infants³ and can be of a wide range of colours, including brown and black. Besides discolouration, some birthmarks are also raised above the skin.

The majority of congenital moles are not a cause for concern; however, some people may choose to remove their birthmarks for cosmetic reasons. The risk of large congenital moles becoming malignant during adulthood ranges between about 4 to 6%³. Some signs that your mole needs to be checked out by a doctor is when it is changing in appearance or causing pain.

Acquired moles

Acquired moles or common moles are those that form after birth, and they can occur anywhere on the skin. They are most commonly round or oval in shape, generally flat or only raised slightly, in one colour (brown, black, blue, or skin-coloured), and small in size (6mm diameter or less). After formation, common moles usually don’t change in appearance.

It is quite rare for common moles to turn cancerous. However, persons who have more than 50 moles on their bodies are at a higher risk of developing skin cancer⁴. If you have an abnormally high number of moles or find an increasing number of new moles on your body as an adult, it may be worth visiting a clinic in Singapore for a mole check.

Atypical moles

Like acquired moles, atypical moles also form after birth and can appear anywhere on the body. However, atypical moles or ‘dysplastic nevi’ are more similar to the type of skin formations that develop in melanoma (the most dangerous form of skin cancer). They are often dubbed the ‘ugly duckling’ of moles due to their irregular shape, variations in colour, uneven texture, and large size.

An estimated 1 in 10,000 atypical moles eventually become malignant⁵, but the risk is higher if you have four or more atypical moles or family members who also have multiple atypical moles⁶.

Conclusion

Understanding and recognising the type of moles on your body is one way to guard against skin cancer. It is also good to develop a habit of monitoring any changes in the appearance of existing moles or the emergence of new moles. Suspicious developments such as skin growth, painful moles, and moles that are growing bigger or changing in colour or shape should be checked out by a dermatologist. Your doctor may also suggest going for skin cancer screening in Singapore.

At Angeline Yong Dermatology, we offer state-of-the-art skin treatments and check-ups including digital mole mapping and skin cancer screening. Visit our dermatology clinic for a personalised assessment today.

References

WebMD. (n.d.). Moles, freckles, & skin tags: Types, causes, treatments. WebMD. Retrieved April 27, 2023, from https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/guide/moles-freckles-skin-tags

Pampena, R., Kyrgidis, A., Lallas, A., Moscarella, E., Argenziano, G., & Longo, C. (2017). A meta-analysis of nevus-associated melanoma: Prevalence and practical implications. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 77(5), 938–945.e4. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaad.2017.06.149

McLaughlin, M. R., O’Connor, N. R., & Ham, P. (2008). Newborn skin: Part II. Birthmarks. American family physician, 77(1), 56–60.

Moles: Who gets and types. American Academy of Dermatology. (n.d.). Retrieved April 27, 2023, from https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/a-z/moles-types

Riker, A. I., Zea, N., & Trinh, T. (2010). The epidemiology, prevention, and detection of melanoma. The Ochsner journal, 10(2), 56–65.

Eckerle, M.D., Bishop, M., Resse, E., Sluzevich, J. (2009). Familial Atypical Multiple Mole Melanoma Syndrome. In D.L. Riegert-Johnson, L.A. Boardman, T. Hefferon, et al., (Eds.), Cancer Syndromes [Internet]. National Center for Biotechnology Information (US). Retrieved from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK7030/

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Types Of Moles: How Likely Will It Turn Into Cancer?