Hello
I have a mark that has appeared on my arm in the past two months. I am not sure exactly when it appeared but I know it was not there when I was on holiday at the end of July.
I guess it looks like a mole but is a funny shape a bit like a 'tear drop' but not as neat. It is a pale brown colour like that of a normal mole but sightly pink at the wider end. It was completely flat but over the past week the wider pinker area has raised slightly like there is a spot forming underneath but has not emerged. It is about 4.5mm in length. It does not hurt or bleed itch nor is it flaky or dry. I am only aware of it as I can see it.
I am very worried about it as I used to go on sun beds in my early twenties and live in fear of the damage it may have caused. I am 31 now. I have booked a doctors appointment for late next week but it's worrying me so much I cannot sleep which is why I have joined this forum. I am convinced it's something nasty. I know your advice will be to just get it checked by the doctor but what I want to know from you is: when this type of mole comes up it's it more likely to be skin cancer than not? Or can something of this desc
2014-12-12 03:24:42
Hello Thanks for posting your query. I can understand your concern for the tear drop shaped mole. The lesion that you are having can be a normal mole or even an atypical mole. Atypical moles are unusual benign moles that may resemble melanoma but are benign in nature. Hence they can be moles resembling melanoma but generally are not. People who have them are at increased risk of developing single or multiple melanomas but not all atypical moles develop into melanoma. The prescursors for such moles turning into melanoma include giant congenital melanocytic nevus and small to medium-sized congenital melanocytic nevus. Basically these moles are bigger than the normal moles may have irregular and indistinct borders color may not be uniform which range from light pink to very dark brown. They usually begin as flat but parts may rise above the skin surface. It is very difficult to confirm whether they are atypical moles or melanoma and differentiate them from seborrheic keratosis lentigo senilis and even warts. However a dermatologist can diagnose it by examination and dermatoscopy. If it is suspected to be a melanoma or even an atypical mole a skin biopsy is usually done to best diagnose it. Hope that this information helps and hope that you will get better soon. Wishing you good health.
2014-12-12 03:25:37
