Nevus removal. Nevus - what is it with a photo

Content

Nevi (moles) are on the body of almost every person and in most cases are not dangerous. What is a birthmark and is it dangerous? Only some types of this formation are dangerous in that its malignancy is possible, i.e. transformation into melanoma. Therefore, it is important to keep an eye on every mole on your body.

What are nevi and what do they look like?

Many people do not know about the nature of moles, and due to the fact that these formations do not bother them during their lives, they do not even remember their existence. What is a nevus from a medical point of view? This is an accumulation of pigment cells on the surface or in a layer of the skin, which can be congenital or acquired. Congenital spots can be of different sizes - from 0.5 to 10 cm in diameter. The location on the body, the size of these formations were originally embedded in the human DNA and already present in the newborn, but are not visible until a certain age.

Causes of the appearance of nevi

Acquired nevus - what is it and why do moles appear? Pigment cells located between the epidermis and dermis can accumulate for the following reasons:

ultraviolet radiation - provokes excessive production of melanin by skin cells;
hormonal changes - from hormonal changes in the body, new moles may appear, old moles disappear;
different types of radiation, trauma can cause the migration of pigmented cells;
heredity - the number, type, location of congenital pigmentation is genetically determined.

Types of moles

Pigmented formations can be classified according to their origin, size, color and location on the skin. Congenital birthmarks vary in shape, color, and some can be up to 10 cm in diameter. Depending on the location on the body, they may have hair on the surface (Becker's spot). By their nature, there are such types of nevi:

vascular - occur due to atypical growth of capillaries (hemangioma, anemic);
pigmentary - due to an excess of melanin in the skin.

Pigmented nevi have a number of varieties:

by location - borderline (on the palms, feet, genitals), nevus of Ota (pigmentation on the face);
by color, distribution pattern - blue (blue), brown, purple and pink spots, Setton's nevus or halonevus (the spot is surrounded by white, pigmentless skin), linear (several nodules in a chain);
in shape - flat and convex, papillomatous, warty, fibroepithelial, verrucous;
by the nature of the forming cells - melanoform, melanocytic, sebaceous glands;
by location in the layers of the skin - dermal, intradermal, intradermal, dysplastic, superficial.

congenital nevus

Birthmark (ICD name - congenital non-tumor) or congenital nevus - what is it? In the photo on the Internet, you can see skin congenital formations of enormous size, which can be located on any part of the body, have a different color. Congenital pigmentation of a certain area is genetically determined with which a person is born. More often it does not pose a threat, however, many factors, external and internal, can provoke the growth and transformation of cells that can form melanoma - the most dangerous type of human malignant tumor.

Acquired moles

Melanoform nevi, which are composed of cells with melanin, are more often congenital, but can also appear during life. Acquired moles are more often melanocytic - with different types of cells, incl. and pigmented. During life, under the influence of many environmental factors, a person may develop an education of any nature. Such acquired skin growths must be monitored to avoid the risk of their malignancy (transformation into a malignant formation).

What is a histological examination of a mole

Nevus histology - what is it? This is a study of a mole for the risk of melanoma from it. Any birthmark carries a potential threat; under the influence of various factors, it can develop into a malignant formation - melanoma. This type of cancer is considered the most dangerous due to the lack of response of the body. Melanoma can develop on any part of the skin, on the mucous membrane and even on the retina. Therefore, it is important to check your moles at least once a year with an oncodermatologist.

Melanocytic nevus

Due to the appearance of neoplasms, they are divided into melanocyntic and melanoform. Melanocyntic spots can form from three types of cells. So, melanocytic neoplasms, more often benign, are:

epidermal;
dermal (intradermal);
mixed origin.

Epidermal moles are dark in color, often flat and small. Sometimes they have hair. If epidermal spots protrude above the surface of the skin, become papillomatous, then this may indicate a risk of developing melanoma from them, so it is important to conduct their histology in time. Melanoform spots are formed from cells with melanin, so they are brown, are congenital, harmless, and can appear in a child in adolescence.

What are nevi on the skin melanomaniac

The concept of a melanoma-dangerous and melanoma-dangerous mole implies the risk of melanoma formation from it. To say exactly which mole is dangerous can only be done by a doctor after a histological examination. However, there is medical statistics, which shows that some types of spots have a pronounced risk of melanoma formation and they include nevi: pigmented borderline, giant congenital, blue, nevus of Ota, Spitz, Dubrey. Description, photos of dangerous spots are easy to find on the Internet, but only a doctor can tell about the danger of a particular formation.

Diagnosis of nevi

The type and danger of spots on the skin is detected by the following methods:

luminescent microscopy - a special dermatoscope device shines through the skin to identify the cells that make up the mole, at what depth and how they are formed;
computer diagnostics - a multiple increase in the pigmented spot, its measurement and identification of the structure;
histology - determination of oncomarkers in the laboratory.

Mole treatment

If pigmented areas of the skin do not bother you throughout your life and look normal, then most likely they do not pose any danger, but this does not mean that you can not monitor their condition. Timely diagnosis of changes will help to cure or remove the pigmented area in time to avoid its malignancy. How to treat moles that arouse suspicion? Today, surgical methods are used to remove suspicious formations on the skin.

Surgical removal of a nevus

If the danger of a pigmented spot is identified, the doctor makes a decision about its removal. There are several surgical methods that are used depending on the type, location and nature of the neoplasm:

resection - surgical removal of a nevus (excision) with a scalpel. Disadvantages - soreness, scars remain;
spot irradiation of pigmentation with small doses of radiation;
electrocoagulation - a bloodless method of removal with sealing of vessels;
laser removal is fast, bloodless and painless, no scars remain;
cryotherapy - cauterization with dry ice or liquid nitrogen (not suitable for the treatment of intradermal spots).

Treatment of nevi with folk remedies

Many people, noticing new spots on their bodies, immediately begin to look for information with photos on the Internet, and then ways to treat them. There are many recipes for folk treatment of moles on the net, but how effective are they? Among the existing recipes are the following:

Vinegar treatment. In folk recipes, it is advised to apply directly to the affected skin. Such treatment can be dangerous with the appearance of burns.
Mixtures based on lemon juice. Lemon is known for its ability to whiten the skin, so such recipes can only change the color of the skin, not cure it. Lemon juice helps fight seasonal pigmentation on the face and neck.
Chalk blends that brighten the skin.
Lapis pencil. Mistakenly, this remedy was attributed to the methods of dealing with moles, but it is effective only in relation to warts.

Based on these recipes, we can conclude that it is simply dangerous to take on the treatment of skin pigmentation of any kind on your own. Intradermal, papillomatous and other neoplasms can only be diagnosed and treated by a doctor. A dermatologist or oncologist will be able to determine the nature of the formation on the skin, the degree of its danger and methods of treatment. Do not self-medicate, so as not to injure your health and avoid the consequences of dangerous methods.

Video: what are nevi

Attention! The information provided in the article is for informational purposes only. The materials of the article do not call for self-treatment. Only a qualified doctor can make a diagnosis and give recommendations for treatment, based on the individual characteristics of a particular patient.

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Nevus - what is it with a photo. Causes and surgical removal of a nevus from the body or face

Nevus of Ota It is represented by a single spot or a group of combined pathological elements of dark blue color and irregular shape that occur in the area of the cheek, eye and upper jaw.

Often the manifestations are located on one side of the face. Additionally, the eye membranes and sclera, the nasopharyngeal mucosa can be stained. Pathology belongs to the group of melanoma-dangerous pigmented nevi, however, cases of its malignancy are rare.

In the event of a disease, patients should contact a dermatologist and continue to be under dispensary observation by this specialist. Surgical treatment is resorted to in case of detection of signs of malignancy.

The pathology is named after the Japanese ophthalmologist Ota M.T., who first described it. There are other names for the disease:

oculodermal melanocytosis;
oculocutaneous melanosis;
phakomatosis Ota-Sato.

This condition is most common in individuals belonging to the Mongoloid race. Separate cases of the disease have been registered in people of Caucasian and Negroid races.

Symptoms

Pathology is manifested by blue-black pigmentation that occurs on the skin of the lower eyelid, in the temple, cheekbones, cheeks and upper jaw. As a rule, localization is unilateral, rarely bilateral. Education occurs in a single instance or may consist of a group of merging elements that have a uniform color.

There are cases when the manifestations had a different degree of staining.

A typical additional symptom of pathology is bluish or brown pigmentation that appears on the sclera, iris and conjunctiva of the eye.

Staining of the border of the lips, mucous membrane of the throat, palate, larynx and nose is rare. It should be noted that the localization of the spots coincides with the region of innervation of the I and II branches of the trigeminal nerve. However, the disease does not have neurological and visual impairment.

Nevus Ota can be hereditary, in which case it manifests itself in early childhood or at the time of puberty. Education does not disappear, but remains for life.

Quite rarely, the pathology is transformed into a malignant form and the development of melanoma of the skin occurs. In this case, there are such changes that occur with the pathological element:

the color becomes darker or lighter;
color changes to uneven;
redness occurs on the marginal areas;
the contour is blurred;
cracks, erosion or bumps appear on the surface of the element.

Causes

To date, there is no exact data revealing the cause of this pathological condition.

Most researchers believe that the disease is hereditary.

Diagnosis and treatment

Diagnosis is based on the clinical picture and the typical location of the manifestation. Additionally, the following studies may be prescribed by a dermatologist:

dermatoscopy;
siascopy;
histological study.

The disease is differentiated from melanoma, Mongolian spot and giant pigmented nevus.

Since the disease is not cured, the element that has appeared is mainly considered as a cosmetic problem that requires the daily use of concealers.

Patients need to be constantly monitored by a dermatologist and undergo an examination every 3 months in order to promptly identify signs of transformation into melanoma.

If there is a change in color, a sharp increase in the spot or its ulceration, then this indicates a malignancy of the process. In this case, immediate surgery and radiotherapy of the neoplasm are required.

Prevention

Prevention is aimed at preventing malignancy of the nevus, for this it is necessary to avoid insolation and use sunscreens containing a high protection factor.

Patients should visit a dermatologist regularly and undergo quarterly examinations.

Nevus Ota: types, causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and prevention

Nevus Ota is an ailment in which a dark blue spot is located in the area of \u200b\u200bthe cheeks and upper jaw. The spot can be either single or consist of a group of small merging spots. As a rule, the spot has an irregular shape and is one-sided. The spot can also be located on the shell of the eye, nasal mucosa and pharyngeal mucosa.

The disease is named after a Japanese physician - an ophthalmologist, who first discovered and described this disease in detail. However, other names of the disease exist and are actively used, such as: oculocutaneous melanosis, oculo-dermal melanocytosis, Ota-Sato phakomatosis.

Nevus of Ota is usually referred to a number of non-dangerous diseases, however, a malignant form of the disease still exists. In this case, surgical removal of the stain is performed. Most often found in representatives of the Mongoloid race.

In medicine, the following types of ailment are distinguished:

intensive;
bilateral;
mild;
moderately pronounced.

Nevus of Ota on the face

Causes

At present, the exact causes of the development of pathology have not been established. Some experts believe that the disease is hereditary.

Symptoms

The disease is characterized by black-blue or dark pigmentation of the skin of the temple, cheekbones, upper jaw, cheeks, lower eyelid. Often localization is unilateral, less often both parts of the face are affected. It has a single and multiple character of development. The skin in the area of formation of a uniform color.

Often this nevus causes pigmentation of the iris, conjunctiva, sclera and has a brown color. There are cases when spots are localized on the nose, lips, larynx, and palate. Also, the formation can be located in the region of innervation of the trigeminal nerve.

The disease manifests itself in childhood and during puberty. Nevus Ota rarely degenerates into a malignant tumor. This process is accompanied by the following features: uneven color is observed, erosion and cracks appear on the surface, the contour is blurred, the border of the formation reddens.

If one of these manifestations is detected,

Manifestation on the skin

Diagnostics

The dermatologist conducts an initial examination. At the appointment, the doctor examines the patient and prescribes an examination taking into account the clinical picture and the localization of the disease. If necessary, a number of additional tests are prescribed.

Histological examination reveals melanocytes, which are localized in the deep layers of the skin. Dermoscopy and siascopy are often performed, in some cases a biopsy is indicated.

Treatment

If the color of the nevus is not intense, people are advised to use special tonal creams with an increased coverage density.

One of the techniques is laser photothermolysis. This method is based on the ability of a laser beam to destroy melanocytes. The method is completely painless. Healthy tissues are not affected during laser treatment. After applying this type of treatment, redness of the skin is observed. If the disease has affected the area of the eyelids, a slight swelling appears, but various complications that arise when using other methods are excluded. After a properly performed procedure, no changes are found on the skin. Usually therapy consists of 10-12 sessions with an interval of one month.

Cryotherapy involves the elimination of melanocytes by cold. This method is often used when removing warts.

Electrocoagulation is an effective method that involves exposure to high frequency currents on tissues. The procedure is performed under anesthesia. Surgical removal is rarely performed.

The radio wave microplasma method for removing neoplasms is a modern technique that allows you to eliminate the problem in record time.

Prevention

Specific prevention of the disease has not yet been developed, since the reasons for its development have not been clarified.

Literature and sources

General Human Pathology: A Guide for Physicians / Ed. A. I. Strukova, V. V. Serova, D. S. Sarkisova: In 2 volumes - T. 2. - M., 1990.

Strukov A. I., Serov V. V. Pathological anatomy.- M., 1995.

Novikova Z. I. Dangerous moles. - M.: Eksmo, 2013.

In this article:

A mole (nevus) is a benign neoplasm on the skin, which is caused by an accumulation of pigment cells - melanocytes. With an excess of melanin - a substance that gives color to the skin, dark neoplasms form. With a decrease in the production of this substance, a person may develop a white birthmark.

There are several classifications of birthmarks on the body:

Depending on the depth at which they formed, they are divided into epidermal, intradermal and border;
Given the appearance, they are divided into melanocytic (flat), non-cellular (convex) and organoid (warty);
Also, moles vary in size and are conditionally divided into small, medium, large and giant;
By color, they can be divided into red (vascular), dark (pigmented, non-vascular) and white.

Places of formation of moles

Neoplasms can be congenital - appear immediately at birth, and acquired - appear during life. Most of them are formed during pregnancy, during puberty, and also during menopause in women, since the formation of melanin is influenced by melanotropic hormone, the production of which increases with hormonal changes in the body.

Nevi can appear anywhere on the skin, including mucous membranes. Depending on the depth of the skin layer on which they formed, they are divided into the following types:

Epidermal - formed on the upper layer of the skin;
Intradermal - formed in the dermis (deeper layer of the skin);
Borderline - formed at the border of the epidermis and dermis.

Appearance of moles

Moles differ from each other not only in the place of formation, but also in appearance:

Flat (melanocytic) nevi are the most common and safe type. Usually these are small smooth spots of the correct oval shape.
Non-cellular (bulging) neoplasms of dark color rise above the skin, have a flat or rough surface on which hairs can grow;
Organoid (warty) nevi are black, brown or blue in color, which resemble warts in appearance - they protrude above the skin and stay on the leg. This species requires special attention, as it is more prone to injury than others.

Mole size

Nevi vary in size:

Those that have a diameter of up to 1.5 cm are small neoplasms;
Moles up to 10 cm in diameter are medium;
Large moles have a diameter of over 10 cm;
Giant moles are very large. They can cover most of the chest, face, lower legs - that is, affect the entire anatomical region.

The most dangerous are giant nevi - the risk of transforming into a malignant tumor in them reaches 50%, so such moles require a mandatory consultation with a doctor.

Red (vascular) nevi

Red moles occur due to disturbances in the functioning of blood vessels - capillaries, arteries, veins and lymphatic vessels. Depending on which vessel failed, neoplasms can be of different sizes and colors (pink, red and blue-red):

If the neoplasm appeared from the capillary vessels, then it is flat and rises little above the skin;
If a red neoplasm arose due to a malfunction of the arteries and veins, which are located deeper in the dermis, then it rises in the form of a tubercle above the skin.

The most common types of vascular neoplasms are:

Hemangioma;
Vascular malformation (port wine spots and stork bite).

Hemangioma

Often you can find another name for hemangioma - strawberry birthmarks. They appear in the first 2 - 4 weeks of a child's life. First, light plaques or small red swellings form on the skin. Gradually, the edges of the hemangioma acquire a clear outline and turn red.

Usually strawberry moles disappear on their own by the age of 7. The process of reverse development of hemangioma begins from the center: the color becomes more saturated cherry-red, over time the surface gradually turns pale, becomes less elastic - the hemangioma disappears.

Vascular malformation

These are congenital red moles that appear during the first weeks of a child's life. Vascular malformation causes malfunction of blood vessels, which manifests itself on the skin in the form of red neoplasms:

Port wine stains are usually localized on the face, arms and torso. At first they are pink in color, over time they darken and become a rich red or bright crimson color. If the child is nervous, crying or has a fever, the color becomes brighter and more intense. Port wine stains do not disappear with age, they only change their color and relief. In adults, they are purple, and the surface is more bumpy.
A stork bite is another common type of vascular harmless neoplasm on the skin of a newborn in the neck, forehead, nape and temples. Their formation is associated with fetal hypoxia, which leads to vascular compression. Such moles are red or orange-pink in color. As a rule, they are irregular in shape with indistinct boundary outlines. Their sizes are also different: most often these are small spots, like a fingerprint. Such vascular neoplasms disappear without treatment in the first year of a child's life.

Pigmented non-vascular moles

Virtually every person has dark pigmentary changes on the skin. Unlike vascular neoplasms, which appeared from abnormal malfunctions of the blood vessels, this type of birthmark arises from excessive production of melanin - a coloring pigment. The color of these spots ranges from gray to brown. They can also have a different surface (rough and smooth) and hairs. The following safe types are common:

Lentigo;
Mongolian spots;
Coffee stains.

Lentigo (flat moles)

This is the most common type of pigmented neoplasms that can be found on the body of every person. Lentigo is a spot with an equal color range, ranging from light brown to brown. It appears due to increased production of melanin. The color becomes more intense when exposed to ultraviolet light.

Mongolian spots

Such neoplasms are rounded pigment spots of a bluish hue, which are most often located in the lumbar and sacral zone. Before adolescence, they disappear without treatment.

coffee stains

These are flat spots of small sizes, the color of coffee with milk. The presence of 1 - 2 neoplasms of the color of coffee with milk does not apply to pathology. If there are 3 or more spots, additional diagnostics are required, as they can be a symptom of neurophomatosis, a disease in which a tumor is formed from nerve cells.

Melanoma dangerous moles

Some pigmented neoplasms can develop into malignant melanoma, so sometimes they are classified into a separate group - melanoma-dangerous. The most common types of melanoma-dangerous moles:

Blue nevus;
Dysplatic nevus;
Nevus of Ota;
Papillomatous birthmark;
Pigmented borderline neoplasm;
Giant pigment mole.

blue nevus

Pigmented nevi of a blue or blue hue. Their diameter is up to 2 cm. Often they resemble a hemisphere in shape, the surface is smooth. Localized on the buttocks, face and limbs.

Mole Ota

A large pigmented neoplasm on the face of a blue-gray or dark brown color. It just doesn't go away. Requires treatment.

Dysplastic nevus

Pigmented neoplasms of various forms with a diameter of more than 1 cm. A distinctive feature is blurred outlines and reddish hues. Localized on the buttocks and chest. Passed down by inheritance.

Papillomatous nevus

A convex pigmented mole with irregular outlines and an uneven surface. The color ranges from flesh to dark brown. Most often localized on the head, the surface can be riddled with hairs.

Pigmented borderline neoplasm

The nodule is black or dark brown with a dry and smooth surface. Diameter - up to 10 mm. Pigmented borderline nevi are more often localized on the genitals, in the areas of the palms and soles, as well as on the nail beds.

Giant pigment mole

The giant nevus has a warty loosened heterogeneous surface from gray to black. There is a dynamic in development - the nevus grows every year.

White moles

Unlike pigmented neoplasms, which appear with an excess of melanin, a white birthmark forms with a decrease in the production of cells that produce melanin. White moles can be of different sizes, have a different surface (smooth or rough). Often, light neoplasms are symptoms of serious diseases, but sometimes they can only be an individual feature of human skin and are not dangerous to health. Therefore, white moles must be observed by physicians.

As you can see, there are different types of birthmarks. They have one thing in common - they require careful treatment and control in order to prevent their transformation into melanoma (cancer) - a malignant neoplasm on the skin.

Are congenital or acquired skin defects. They occur everywhere: on the torso, fingers, face, etc. Moles are characterized by a variety of shapes, shades and sizes. Often they are called nevi. Such neoplasms are flat and convex, with a smooth or hairy surface.

They may be present at birth or occur throughout life. The presence of an excessive number of nevi indicates the negative impact of ultraviolet radiation or a hereditary tendency to form moles.

By themselves, nevi are safe for the body, but in the presence of some negative factors, they are able to become malignant or form into malignant neoplasms, subsequently leading to. Such nevi are called melanoma dangerous.

dangerous species

Oncologists identify 5 dangerous types of moles:

looks like a spot with the same color over the entire surface, which can reach an almost black tint. Such moles do not react to the influence of UV rays, do not change color, number and parameters;
- a rather dense neoplasm with a smooth, hairless coating. Such a mole is noticeably higher than the skin, does not exceed 2 cm in diameter, prefers to be located in the area of \u200b\u200bthe limbs, face and buttocks;
A giant mole is considered the most dangerous formation, since in half of the cases it is reborn. Such a nevus is characterized by a heterogeneous loose surface and annually increases in size;
Nevus Ota - is a large dark brown or blue-gray mole. Such education requires mandatory treatment;
- is considered a precancerous formation with an uneven contour. Such a formation, upon detection, requires removal, since in most cases it undergoes malignancy.

An experienced doctor will be able to identify the danger of a nevus by its appearance.

The statistics are such that most patients get to the oncologist too late, when the process of malignancy has already been completed and the harmless nevus has been reclassified into a cancerous tumor. The reason for this pattern is carelessness in relation to moles and ignorance of the main symptoms of rebirth.

Reasons for the degeneration of a mole into a malignant one

Nevi are prone to rebirth in the presence of irritating factors. For such changes may result from excessive ultraviolet exposure Therefore, it is extremely important to avoid long-term exposure to the open sun, especially at 11-16 hours.

This statement is confirmed by the fact that in sunny states, where residents are irradiated with ultraviolet light all year round, it is diagnosed much more often than in the northern regions.

Prove the ultraviolet conditionality of malignancy and recent studies. With every sunburn in childhood, the risk of developing a malignant nevus in adulthood increases. No less dangerous are various injuries to moles, in the event of which it is recommended to consult a specialist.

Not the last role in the malignancy of nevi is played by the genetic factor. If a person at the genetic level lacks the ability to adapt to an aggressive environment, then he is classified as a risk group for malignancy of moles.

Main features

If you are a happy owner of moles, then make it a rule to examine them periodically in order to timely identify a possible rebirth. For ease of remembering, dermatologists have come up with such a diagnostic rule “accord”, according to which they reveal the symptoms of the degeneration of a mole into a malignant one:

A is asymmetric. Benign nevi are distinguished by a symmetrical structure (except for congenital ones), and if a mole begins to acquire an asymmetrical shape, then this can serve as a signal of the beginning of rebirth;
K - contours. If the edges of the nevus have become uneven, blurry, fuzzy, then such a fact should be a cause for alarm;
Oh, shade. If the color of the mole has acquired any inclusions, dots or stripes, then this may indicate the development of rebirth;
R - dimensions. A nevus can change its size only during the transitional age in adolescents, when puberty occurs. The remaining cases of sudden growth of a mole require the intervention of a specialist;
D - dynamics of pathological changes. The sudden appearance of cracks, crusts, bleeding is evidence of malignancy of the mole.

In the photo you can compare how malignant and benign moles look

In addition to the above, the characteristic signs of a malignant mole are:

Causeless peeling, changes in surface texture;
Compaction of the nevus against the background of its rapid growth;
It is dangerous if the mole starts to itch, there is a burning or tingling sensation;
The sudden appearance of spots around the nevus, similar to an allergic rash.

If there is at least one sign, then this already requires a medical consultation and makes you think about the malignancy of the nevus. Therefore, you should not let any changes in the mole take its course, because the violation of the integrity of the surface layer of the nevus is dangerous by blood poisoning with a very unfavorable outcome.

Diagnostics

Only a doctor can independently determine the malignant nature of a mole after the procedure. Such a study does not cause pain and takes about 3 minutes per nevus.

The procedure is carried out with a dermatoscope - a specialized device that provides a diagnostic accuracy of about 95-97%.

What to do if the nevus turned out to be malignant

If the malignancy of the mole is confirmed by specialists and the diagnostic procedures performed, then the patient is usually referred for an operation involving the removal of the mole in an operative way.

Indications for removal

Not all moles need to be removed. There is a list of indications for the removal of nevi:

If the mole has degenerated into a malignant formation (malignant);
Large size of the nevus or its unaesthetic appearance;
The presence of permanent injury of mechanical or chemical origin. If the mole is injured on clothing, causes discomfort and pain, bleeds, then it must be removed in order to prevent blood poisoning or malignancy.

Ways

Malignant moles are removed in various ways. There are 5 main techniques most often used to remove nevi.

. A similar method involves the elimination of neoplasms by freezing with liquid nitrogen or a mixture of carbonic acid. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia and takes a few minutes. The disadvantage of this technique is the inability to control the degree of nitrogen or acid exposure.

After cryotherapy, it is impossible to obtain biomaterial for histological examination. If the nevus was large, then after freezing, there is a possibility of scarring or scarring.

laser treatment. It involves the removal of a mole by laser burning. The method has many advantages. One of them is the simultaneous sealing of blood vessels, which makes it possible to successfully apply such treatment to moles that are characterized by bleeding. There is also a minus - the impossibility of conducting histology.
Radio wave therapy. A similar technique is acceptable for medium-sized nevi located on the surface of the skin. The procedure is carried out with a special apparatus (Surgitron, etc.), after which a quickly healing wound remains. Radiotherapy does not damage the tissues of the nevus, which allows subsequent histological examination. After the procedure, there are no scars, and the postoperative wound quickly disappears.
Electrotreatment. Such therapy involves burning the nevus with low-frequency electricity. The procedure is very traumatic, there is a high probability of postoperative scarring, so this technique is rarely used. But electrocoagulation also has advantages - the possibility of histological examination.
Surgical removal. A similar method is used to remove large moles or with deep germination of melanoma in the tissues on which it is located. Also, such an operation is applicable for flat nevi, tumors of a malignant nature and for malignancy of a mole. Cancer neoplasms are excised along with the surrounding skin.

If the patient wants to get rid of the nevus for aesthetic reasons, then it should be borne in mind that the mole can be permanently eliminated only if it does not exceed 5 mm. With a large size of the nevus, a scar will remain after removal.

Survival prognosis

The survival rate is usually determined by the thickness of the malignant mole. A similar criterion is called the Breslow depth. The depth of penetration of the oncological process, the Clark level, is also taken into account when predicting.

If the melanoma is less than 1 cm thick, then the prognosis is favorable. If the thickness of the nevus exceeds 1 cm, then the forecasts are less favorable.

Prevention

Prevention of the degeneration of a benign mole into a malignant one has not been developed today, although there are several recommendations that can help prevent the process of malignancy:

Be attentive to the condition of already existing moles, and if there are changes, contact an oncologist in a timely manner;
Avoid long-term exposure to ultraviolet radiation (solarium, beach), use UV protection;
Avoid contact with chemicals.

Do not try to cut or tear off the mole yourself. This should be done only by a specialist and using the necessary equipment.

Video on how to recognize a malignant formation on the skin, diagnosis and treatment of a tumor: