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What Do Moles On Back And Chest Indicate?
Question: Hi
Today I asked a dermatologist about some moles I have. He first looked at the ones on my chest and said ohh those are fine, then he looked the few moles I have on my back. He had a concerned look on his face and said we should remove one (it is a darker color then the rest of my moles - almost black). It is smaller than the head of a pencil eraser. I asked if it is cancer and he said not yet (or something like that but wasn't very clear). He originally booked me 2 months away to get it removed and for a biopsy. I am so worried (my friend just died from melanoma). I am 28 years old /male. I called back and said I would pay extra to get it done this week and they agreed. They said results take a month.
I've attached three pictures.
Can you please take a look and let me know how worried I should be?
Do you think it is cancer? I seen pictures of invasive melanoma and this looks like the same thing.
Please help.
Today I asked a dermatologist about some moles I have. He first looked at the ones on my chest and said ohh those are fine, then he looked the few moles I have on my back. He had a concerned look on his face and said we should remove one (it is a darker color then the rest of my moles - almost black). It is smaller than the head of a pencil eraser. I asked if it is cancer and he said not yet (or something like that but wasn't very clear). He originally booked me 2 months away to get it removed and for a biopsy. I am so worried (my friend just died from melanoma). I am 28 years old /male. I called back and said I would pay extra to get it done this week and they agreed. They said results take a month.
I've attached three pictures.
Can you please take a look and let me know how worried I should be?
Do you think it is cancer? I seen pictures of invasive melanoma and this looks like the same thing.
Please help.
Brief Answer:
Seems benign moles
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for posting on HCM.
I have reviewed your history and pictures and I would like say that clinically these moles seems to be benign. The size, edges, color of moles seems to be suggestive of benign moles but to be on safer side its always prudent to go for biopsy and histopathological examination.
Hope you got my point here.
Let me know if you require anymore assistance from my side.
Thanks
Dr Hardik Pitroda
Seems benign moles
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for posting on HCM.
I have reviewed your history and pictures and I would like say that clinically these moles seems to be benign. The size, edges, color of moles seems to be suggestive of benign moles but to be on safer side its always prudent to go for biopsy and histopathological examination.
Hope you got my point here.
Let me know if you require anymore assistance from my side.
Thanks
Dr Hardik Pitroda
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you
Just a couple quick questions.
Do you know why the doctor says "not yet" when I asked him if it is cancerous
and also, the mole looks "different" than all of my other moles. Is this an issue?
Just a couple quick questions.
Do you know why the doctor says "not yet" when I asked him if it is cancerous
and also, the mole looks "different" than all of my other moles. Is this an issue?
Brief Answer:
---
Detailed Answer:
I think by 'not yet' he meant the same as what I told you i.e they are benign as of now but its important to check by biopsy if there is any sign of malignancy or premalignancy.
The color of moles can be variable but overall the uniformity of color, shape and edges of this particular mole all point towards benign lesion.
Thanks
Dr Hardik Pitroda
---
Detailed Answer:
I think by 'not yet' he meant the same as what I told you i.e they are benign as of now but its important to check by biopsy if there is any sign of malignancy or premalignancy.
The color of moles can be variable but overall the uniformity of color, shape and edges of this particular mole all point towards benign lesion.
Thanks
Dr Hardik Pitroda
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you
I have a few more questions if you do not mind.
1. I had the biopsy done. How long does it take for Dermatologists typically to get the results. they booked an appointment for in a month and they said they would call me to come in sooner if it was serious.
2. The doctor said the scar will look like a cigarette burn - what type of biopsy did he use? shave?
3. Is there anyway for the doctor to tell or get more information from the biopsy? I heard that the doctor can usually tell from what is underneath the mole. Is that true? It's just that they have not reassured me at all that this is not melanoma. It's like they just don't want to give me bad news yet. I'm freaking out having trouble sleeping etc.
4. I believe I noticed some pigment (black) left over from where the mole was removed - Is this a bad sign.
I may have some additional questions later. I am sorry but I am so worried.
I have a few more questions if you do not mind.
1. I had the biopsy done. How long does it take for Dermatologists typically to get the results. they booked an appointment for in a month and they said they would call me to come in sooner if it was serious.
2. The doctor said the scar will look like a cigarette burn - what type of biopsy did he use? shave?
3. Is there anyway for the doctor to tell or get more information from the biopsy? I heard that the doctor can usually tell from what is underneath the mole. Is that true? It's just that they have not reassured me at all that this is not melanoma. It's like they just don't want to give me bad news yet. I'm freaking out having trouble sleeping etc.
4. I believe I noticed some pigment (black) left over from where the mole was removed - Is this a bad sign.
I may have some additional questions later. I am sorry but I am so worried.
Brief Answer:
Answers below
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Apologies for the late reply. Following are answers to your questions.
1.. Generally speaking biopsy reports are sent to histopathology lab where pathologist process the sample and study under microscope. Once processed we can have results/reports in a day or two. Therefore technically we can have results of biopsy in a few days time. Here in my country we get the report in less than a week's time.
2. Perhaps you underwent 'punch biopsy' where the area was punched out leaving behind a circular cigarette burn like scar.
3. If the procedure was performed adequately, pathologist should have enough sample to arrive at a conclusion. And this procedure/test is gold standard investigation to conclude the nature of mole. So yes, they will have enough information to come to a conclusion. Since your doctor has least suspicion about cancer clinically lets not push the panic button yet. Wait for your doctor's call.
4. The area punched out heals with a black scab. So you are most likely looking at healing process. No need to be concerned yet.
Hope this answers your question. Let me know if you need clarifications.
Regards
Answers below
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Apologies for the late reply. Following are answers to your questions.
1.. Generally speaking biopsy reports are sent to histopathology lab where pathologist process the sample and study under microscope. Once processed we can have results/reports in a day or two. Therefore technically we can have results of biopsy in a few days time. Here in my country we get the report in less than a week's time.
2. Perhaps you underwent 'punch biopsy' where the area was punched out leaving behind a circular cigarette burn like scar.
3. If the procedure was performed adequately, pathologist should have enough sample to arrive at a conclusion. And this procedure/test is gold standard investigation to conclude the nature of mole. So yes, they will have enough information to come to a conclusion. Since your doctor has least suspicion about cancer clinically lets not push the panic button yet. Wait for your doctor's call.
4. The area punched out heals with a black scab. So you are most likely looking at healing process. No need to be concerned yet.
Hope this answers your question. Let me know if you need clarifications.
Regards
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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