Raised black mole

In everyone’s impression, a mole is just a black dot. Sometimes when a mole starts to become a little raised, people will become nervous. In fact, this is a normal change. At present, the cause of moles cannot be fully identified. It is mainly believed to be related to genes (personal constitution). Secondly, too much sun exposure also makes moles more likely. Moreover, for some female friends, and even male friends, moles may sometimes affect their appearance, so let us understand what the raised black moles are!

1. Classification of moles

1. Junctional nevus: Nevus cells are distributed between the epidermis (superficial part of the skin) and the dermis (deep part of the skin). It looks like a flat black dot, which is also what we generally know as a mole.

2. Compound nevus: In addition to being distributed in the epidermis, nevus cells grow more and more in the dermis (deep layer of the skin). At this time, the nevus begins to bulge out a bit, and appears as a small black bump.

3. Intradermal nevus: Nevus cells only grow in the dermis. At this time, the color of the nevus is usually not that dark. It is likely to be a light brown protrusion or even skin-colored.

The depth of a mole mainly affects the choice of removal method. If it is a junctional mole (flat mole), it can usually be completely removed with laser. The recurrence rate of deeper moles (compound moles and intradermal moles) using laser removal is higher. Slightly larger moles can usually be removed more completely by surgical excision.

2. Intradermal nevus

Intradermal nevus is the most common type of pigmented nevus in adults. It is named because its nevus cells are located below the epidermis and in the superficial layer of the dermis. This type of nevus can occur anywhere on the body, but is most common on the head and neck. It does not occur on the palms, soles, and genitals.

The appearance of the mole is hemispherical, ranging from a few millimeters to several centimeters, and generally does not increase in size; the surface is smooth, the edges are neat, and some are papilloma-like or have a pedicle at the base. It is a congenital black spot that can appear light brown, dark brown or black. Its size is generally 0.1 to 1 cm in diameter, with a flat or slightly raised surface. Some are smooth, some are rough, and some have hair. Grows slowly. Sex hormones have a strong stimulating effect on pigmented nevi, which often grow larger and darker during puberty.

3. Disease Overview

Pigmented nevi are congenital black spots that can appear light brown, dark brown or black. Its size is generally 0.1 to 1 cm in diameter, with a flat or slightly raised surface. Some are smooth, some are rough, and some have hair. Grows slowly. Sex hormones have a strong stimulating effect on pigmented nevi, which often grow larger and darker during puberty. Nevus cells and nevus cell nests are gathered in the dermis, flat or raised above the skin surface, often with hair, and are the most common pigmented nevi in ​​adults. Intradermal nevus has no boundary vitality and does not undergo malignant transformation. Therefore, it is generally believed that pigmented nevus with hair, uniform and dark color, and clear edges are signs of stable nature.

According to the location of growth, it can be divided into three types: junctional nevus, endothelial nevus and compound nevus. Early moles or childhood moles are mostly junctional nevi, and flat moles are also often junctional nevi. Later, the nevus cells gradually break away from the basal layer of the epithelium and completely enter the dermis, which is an intradermal nevus. When part or most of a junctional nevus has entered the endothelium, it is called a compound nevus. In adults, the vulva is often a junctional nevus or a compound nevus. This type of mole is located on the vulva, which is prone to friction and irritation, and is prone to malignant transformation into malignant melanoma. Laser surgery is used for treatment.

4. Symptoms

They differentiate from large nevus cells and become more mature small nevus cells, which enter the dermis and surrounding connective tissue.

5. Disease Classification

According to the location of growth, it can be divided into three types: junctional nevus, endothelial nevus and compound nevus. Early moles or childhood moles are mostly junctional nevi, and flat moles are also often junctional nevi. Later, the nevus cells gradually break away from the basal layer of the epithelium and completely enter the dermis, which is an intradermal nevus. When part or most of a junctional nevus has entered the endothelium, it is called a compound nevus. In adults, the vulva is often a junctional nevus or a compound nevus. This type of mole is located on the vulva, which is prone to friction and irritation, and is prone to malignant transformation into malignant melanoma.

6. Symptoms and Signs

They differentiate from large nevus cells and become more mature small nevus cells, which enter the dermis and surrounding connective tissue.

VII. Treatment Plan

For larger moles on the face with no evidence of malignant transformation, staged partial excision can be considered, which can better preserve both appearance and function, but it is not suitable for those with a tendency to malignant transformation. Total excision, adjacent skin flap transfer or free skin grafting can also be used. If malignancy is suspected, surgery should be used to remove the mole completely at once; the incision should be made outside the boundaries of the mole on normal skin. After the removal of a small mole, the skin wound edges can be peeled off secretly and then sutured directly.

8. Safety Tips

1. Non-surgical treatments include liquid nitrogen freezing, laser, electrolysis, electrocautery, high-frequency electric knife, and chemical corrosion methods such as trichloroacetic acid and carbolic acid. The principle is to use various methods to destroy the local tissue of the disease, and gradually fall off, relying on the regeneration and repair of the surrounding tissue. Although surgery can be avoided, the depth of tissue destruction is difficult to control. If it is too shallow, the treatment will not be thorough and will form irritation factors. If it is too deep, it will leave sunken scars. In addition, the color of the local skin after treatment will be different from that of the surrounding tissues. These are all disadvantages.

2. Surgical treatment is applicable to any type of pigmented nevus, regardless of the size. The therapeutic effect is stable and reliable, and the removed tissue can be further used for pathological examination.