How can you recognize a benign birthmark?
Birthmarks are usually harmless. However, pigmented birthmarks (moles) in particular can develop into skin cancer under certain circumstances. It is important to recognize this at an early stage. But what does a benign mole look like? And when is it dangerous, i.e. potentially malignant?
Here is a simple guide for recognizing benign moles: As a rule, a pigmented mole is benign if it…
- has a regular, symmetrical shape
- @ has regular, clear borders
- is uniformly colored
- does not change (e.g. in size, shape or color)
How can you recognize a malignant birthmark?
The opposite characteristics indicate a potentially malignant birthmark (mole). That is, a pigmented birthmark (mole) could be dangerous – that is, malignant – if it…
- has an irregular, asymmetrical shape
- @ has irregular, fuzzy edges, e.g., frayed edges or jagged extensions
- is of different colors or spots, e.g. partly brown-red, partly black birthmark (mole) or one with black dots)
- changes in size, color, shape or thickness, e.g. a small mole suddenly becomes a large one or a mole (mole) becomes lighter, darker or grows in height, i.e. becomes thicker.
A raised, i.e. protruding (“thick”) birthmark (> 1 millimeter above the skin level), which has a rough or dry-scaly surface, could also indicate skin cancer such as malignant melanoma.
Also suspicious is a mole with a crust (sometimes this falls off). For example, a basal cell carcinoma (form of white skin cancer) could be hiding behind it.
You should also pay attention if a mole or birthmark itches, bleeds (without reason) or weeps. Even if a mole / mole hurts (for example, when touched) or burns, there may be a dangerous cause behind it. This does not necessarily have to be cancer – a normal birthmark (mole) often hurts if the area has been scratched open and then become inflamed. Often a birthmark (mole) is then also swollen, reddened and warm.
If you suddenly get (many) new (small) moles / birthmarks, you should also have the cause clarified by a doctor.
Just like a conspicuous birthmark, a poorly healing supposed “pimple” can also be a malignant skin change. Not so with the nevus coeruleus: the roundish, blue-black nodule (“blue birthmark”) is not malignant, even though it often looks dangerous.
ABCDE rule for recognizing a malignant birthmark
Read more about this rule of thumb for detecting dangerous moles in the post ABCDE Rule.
EFG criteria for the detection of certain melanomas
However, the classic ABCD rule cannot always be used to detect a malignant mole (malignant mole), i.e. skin cancer. For example, nodular melanoma – a certain type of black skin cancer – is more likely to be detected using the EFG criteria:
Nodular melanoma – in contrast to most other melanomas – is generally very symmetrical in shape, sharply defined and monochromatic. According to the ABCD rules, however, these three characteristics typically apply to harmless moles or liver spots. Thus, this type of skin cancer would be incorrectly classified as harmless based on the ABCD rule.
However, the nodular, usually bluish or brown-black “birthmark” identifies itself as malignant by meeting the EFG criteria: It is elevated, firm to rough on palpation, and fast growing.
What to do in case of altered moles?
Have every birthmark (mole) change clarified by a doctor!
Whether cancer or a precursor of cancer is actually behind a suspicious or new birthmark (mole) can be determined by the physician by means of reflected-light microscopy and, if necessary, a fine-tissue (histological) examination. For the latter, he cuts out the entire mole or part of it and sends it to a laboratory for analysis.
