Does the enlargement of a mole mean that it is becoming malignant?

Not necessarily

Don't be afraid, the change in the size of a mole does not directly equate to whether it has become malignant.

The reason for this is that the size of a mole can vary due to a variety of factors, including age, changes in hormone levels, etc. Some women even experience larger moles during pregnancy.

What we call black moles are also called pigmented moles. They are a common benign skin tumor formed by the aggregation of pigment cells (melanocytes) in the skin. Some moles not only grow larger, but may also change slightly in shape. This is often a normal physiological phenomenon and is very common in children. It almost never means malignant changes. It is important to know that the probability of a mole becoming malignant is very small.

However, in some rare cases, changes in moles may indicate the risk of malignant transformation, which is an early symptom of suspected melanoma. Malignant signs that need to be paid attention to include asymmetry, irregular edges, multiple colors (such as black, brown, red, white, etc.), a diameter greater than 6 mm, or rapid growth in a short period of time. If you find that a mole has the above changes, especially if there are multiple changes, it is recommended to seek medical attention in time and have a professional evaluation by a dermatologist.

In short, changes in moles do not necessarily mean malignant transformation. Do not judge based solely on changes in the size of the mole.

Author: Tang Jiaoqing, MD, attending physician of dermatology

Review | Feng Jun, deputy chief physician of the Dermatology Department of Sinopharm Tongmei General Hospital