Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCharacteristicsExamplesSigns of CancerSkin Exams
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Characteristics
Examples
Signs of Cancer
Skin Exams
Benign moles have the potential to develop into a type of skin cancer called melanoma.
Moles are benign tumors formed frommelanocytes(cells in the skin that make the pigment melanin). Moles come in various shapes, sizes, and colors. For example, there are pink moles, red moles, flat moles, raised moles, light moles, speckled moles, mature moles, and more.
Characteristics of Benign Moles
A mole is made up of skin cells called melanocytes that produce the skin-darkening pigmentmelanin. When melanocytes grow in groups, they form a mole appearing as a small, dark mark, or sometimes a flesh-colored small bump. They can appear in a range of colors, shapes, and sizes.
Skin moles fall under three types: common nevus, spitz nevus, and atypical (dysplastic) nevus. They may be present at birth (congenital) or develop later (acquired).
Common moles have the following characteristics:
Spitz neviare benign moles that resemble melanoma. These moles grow very quickly and are most often found in younger people—70% are found in people under age 20.These moles can sometimes bleed or itch, although this is not common.
Spitz nevi usually have a uniform pink, red, tan, blue, or black color. They are most common on the face, neck, and legs.
Do Benign Moles Ever Disappear?During later adulthood, moles often lose their pigmentation and may fade away with advancing age. Normally, these changes happen very slowly.
Do Benign Moles Ever Disappear?
During later adulthood, moles often lose their pigmentation and may fade away with advancing age. Normally, these changes happen very slowly.
Examples of Benign Moles
Flat Mole
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoHeather L. Brannon, MD
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See Photo
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.
Heather L. Brannon, MD
Themolesin this picture are completely benign. One of the features of benign moles is their uniform color throughout, but these moles have a speckled pattern.
Flat moles like this, especially if they have recently developed, can have color variations throughout. These moles have all the other features of benign moles:
The other clue that the mole color is not concerning is that this person has several other moles that look just like this.
Light Mole
This mole is slightly raised and you can see that it’s the same color as the surrounding skin. Depending on where it is located, a mole that becomes raised can get cut when shaving or interfere with clothing or jewelry. Most insurance companies will pay to havemoles removedfor these reasons, and also if the moles itch, hurt, or have any suspicious features.
Mature Mole
This is a mature mole because the skin surrounding it has wrinkles throughout. The mole itself has been present for many years. This mole has all the features of benign moles.
Speckled Mole
This is another example of a benign mole that doesn’t meet the general color rule. As noted, one of the typical features of benign moles is that they have a consistent color throughout. This mole, however, is flesh-colored on the perimeter and brown in the center.
Raised Mole
This is a great example of a benign mole. Even though it’s raised, it has a very consistent color throughout and well-defined border. Depending on its location on the body, though, this kind of raised mole can cause problems if it gets caught on clothing or jewelry, or gets nicked when shaving. These would be reasons that an insurance company would typically pay to have this mole removed.
Light, Raised Mole
Here is another example of a raised mole that could easily get caught on clothing or jewelry. Sometimes a mole can be difficult to distinguish from aseborrheic keratosis, also known as a skin barnacle. Those rarely become cancerous, but if they do, they are associated with basal cell carcinomas.
Red, Raised Mole
Since moles stick out from the body, they can get irritated or caught on clothing and jewelry. Sometimes they itch and get irritated with vigorous scratching. This will cause changes in the mole’s appearance.
As you can see in this picture, a portion of this mole looks like it’s been rubbing against something, causing irritation. This red, raised mole should heal in the same amount of time that it takes for abrasions on other parts of the skin to heal.
Pink, Raised Mole
If you compare this pink mole to the previous two moles, you can see that this mole is pretty typical. Just because a lesion is raised doesn’t mean that it’s skin cancer. Note the difference in the skin surrounding this pink mole, compared with the surrounding skin in the previous pictures, and observe all the freckles. This person has fair skin that tends to burn instead of tan, which is a risk factor for melanoma.
If a mole changes size, shape, or color, starts to bleed, or changes in texture (e.g., new flaking or scaliness) see a healthcare provider.Any change warrants concern.
Your healthcare provider or dermatologist will want to conduct tests to ensure that you don’t have melanoma.
What Does an Atypical Mole Look Like?
Atypical moles (dysplastic nevi) look different from common moles in that they tend to be larger, flat, and have a mixture of several different colors (ranging from pink to brown to black). Atypical moles are irregularly shaped and can be scaly or have a slightly pebbled surface.
The acronymABCDEis a guide used for identifying melanoma.
The Importance of Getting Regular Skin Exams
Most adults have between 10 and 40 of these types of moles, which usually appear in areas of sun exposure.
Having a higher number warrants an annual check-up to examine parts of the body you cannot easily see, like your back. The Skin Cancer Foundation is among the organizations that endorse once-yearly skin exams.
Ask about anything that’s concerning you, if you are unfamiliar with a term your healthcare provider uses, and for pointers on how to perform a skin self-exam.
Summary
Moles come in various shapes, sizes, and colors. Pictures and descriptions of normal, noncancerous moles can help identify when to see a healthcare provider if a mole doesn’t have the normal characteristics.
Atypical moles tend to be larger, flat, and have a mixture of several different colors. The ABCDE guide is a useful tool to identify abnormal moles. If any moles have these characteristics, see your healthcare provider right away so they can examine the mole and conduct tests if necessary to determine if it’s melanoma. Regular exams are important for those with more moles.
11 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Bhatt M, Nabatian A, Kriegel D, Khorasani H.Does an increased number of moles correlate to a higher risk of melanoma?. Melanoma Manag. 2016;3(2):85-87. doi:10.2217/mmt-2016-0001National Cancer Institute.Common moles, dysplastic nevi, and risk of melanoma.American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.Spitz Nevus.AIM at Melanoma Foundation.Moles - Moles or Melanoma?Sardana K, Chakravarty P, Goel K.Optimal management of common acquired melanocytic nevi (moles): current perspectives. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2014;7:89-103. doi:10.2147/CCID.S57782Fink E.[Health behavior from the gender perspective–The concept of “doing genders” and the perspective of intersectionality as an explanation]. Gesundheitswesen. 2015;77(11):880. doi:10.1055/s-2006-949120American Academy of Dermatology Association.Skin cancer types: Basal cell carcinoma signs and symptoms.American Cancer Society.Signs and symptoms of melanoma skin cancer.American Academy of Dermatology Association.What to look for: ABCDEs of melanoma.National Cancer Institute.Common Moles, Dysplastic Nevi, and Risk of Melanoma - What is a common mole?Skin Cancer Foundation.Annual Exams: Five Easy Steps to Prepare Yourself.
11 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Bhatt M, Nabatian A, Kriegel D, Khorasani H.Does an increased number of moles correlate to a higher risk of melanoma?. Melanoma Manag. 2016;3(2):85-87. doi:10.2217/mmt-2016-0001National Cancer Institute.Common moles, dysplastic nevi, and risk of melanoma.American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.Spitz Nevus.AIM at Melanoma Foundation.Moles - Moles or Melanoma?Sardana K, Chakravarty P, Goel K.Optimal management of common acquired melanocytic nevi (moles): current perspectives. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2014;7:89-103. doi:10.2147/CCID.S57782Fink E.[Health behavior from the gender perspective–The concept of “doing genders” and the perspective of intersectionality as an explanation]. Gesundheitswesen. 2015;77(11):880. doi:10.1055/s-2006-949120American Academy of Dermatology Association.Skin cancer types: Basal cell carcinoma signs and symptoms.American Cancer Society.Signs and symptoms of melanoma skin cancer.American Academy of Dermatology Association.What to look for: ABCDEs of melanoma.National Cancer Institute.Common Moles, Dysplastic Nevi, and Risk of Melanoma - What is a common mole?Skin Cancer Foundation.Annual Exams: Five Easy Steps to Prepare Yourself.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Bhatt M, Nabatian A, Kriegel D, Khorasani H.Does an increased number of moles correlate to a higher risk of melanoma?. Melanoma Manag. 2016;3(2):85-87. doi:10.2217/mmt-2016-0001National Cancer Institute.Common moles, dysplastic nevi, and risk of melanoma.American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.Spitz Nevus.AIM at Melanoma Foundation.Moles - Moles or Melanoma?Sardana K, Chakravarty P, Goel K.Optimal management of common acquired melanocytic nevi (moles): current perspectives. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2014;7:89-103. doi:10.2147/CCID.S57782Fink E.[Health behavior from the gender perspective–The concept of “doing genders” and the perspective of intersectionality as an explanation]. Gesundheitswesen. 2015;77(11):880. doi:10.1055/s-2006-949120American Academy of Dermatology Association.Skin cancer types: Basal cell carcinoma signs and symptoms.American Cancer Society.Signs and symptoms of melanoma skin cancer.American Academy of Dermatology Association.What to look for: ABCDEs of melanoma.National Cancer Institute.Common Moles, Dysplastic Nevi, and Risk of Melanoma - What is a common mole?Skin Cancer Foundation.Annual Exams: Five Easy Steps to Prepare Yourself.
Bhatt M, Nabatian A, Kriegel D, Khorasani H.Does an increased number of moles correlate to a higher risk of melanoma?. Melanoma Manag. 2016;3(2):85-87. doi:10.2217/mmt-2016-0001
National Cancer Institute.Common moles, dysplastic nevi, and risk of melanoma.
American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.Spitz Nevus.
AIM at Melanoma Foundation.Moles - Moles or Melanoma?
Sardana K, Chakravarty P, Goel K.Optimal management of common acquired melanocytic nevi (moles): current perspectives. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2014;7:89-103. doi:10.2147/CCID.S57782
Fink E.[Health behavior from the gender perspective–The concept of “doing genders” and the perspective of intersectionality as an explanation]. Gesundheitswesen. 2015;77(11):880. doi:10.1055/s-2006-949120
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Skin cancer types: Basal cell carcinoma signs and symptoms.
American Cancer Society.Signs and symptoms of melanoma skin cancer.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.What to look for: ABCDEs of melanoma.
National Cancer Institute.Common Moles, Dysplastic Nevi, and Risk of Melanoma - What is a common mole?
Skin Cancer Foundation.Annual Exams: Five Easy Steps to Prepare Yourself.
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