The difference between fleshy moles and black moles

Everyone has moles on their bodies, but some people may have moles in more private parts and are not obvious. This is also the problem that many people are troubled by moles on their bodies. In fact, there is a big difference between flesh moles and black moles. Different types will produce different symptoms and forms, so you should pay attention to the distinction in normal times and choose the appropriate method to slowly regulate it.

The difference between fleshy moles and black moles

Flesh mole refers to a pigmented mole that protrudes from the surface. From a pathological point of view, acquired moles are usually 0.1-0.6 cm in size and can be divided into junctional moles, compound moles and intradermal moles. Flesh nevus is also known as intradermal nevus. The nevus cells are completely located in the dermis. They are large and protruding, and appear as light brown or flesh-colored nodules. A mole is a localized abnormality of skin pigmentation that can be present at birth or acquired later in life. A healthy person usually has 15 to 20 moles on their skin. Congenital moles are mostly present at birth or in the neonatal period, while acquired moles may appear after six months of age until old age.

Over time, acquired junctional nevus will change from its original flat shape to a slightly protruding hemispherical shape with a smooth surface. As it grows deeper into the dermis, its color will change to skin color or brown-black. Since the activity of melanocytes decreases, the chance of malignant change is also low. Intradermal nevus, also known as fleshy nevus, is evolved from compound nevus. The nevus cells grow downward and completely detach from the epidermis. Clinically, it appears as a raised area with a brown to flesh-colored appearance.

Melanoma is a group of benign melanocytes that gather at the junction of the epidermis and dermis. Melanocytes may be distributed in the lower part of the reticular dermis, between connective tissue bundles, around other skin appendages such as sweat glands, hair follicles, blood vessels, nerves, etc., and occasionally extend to subcutaneous fat.

Melanoma characteristics

It may appear flat, raised, warty, granular, or other shapes and may be brown, black, or blue in color. There are two types of melanocytic nevi: congenital and acquired.

Congenital moles are mostly present at birth or in the neonatal period, while acquired moles may appear after six months of age until old age.

Acquired moles are usually 0.1 to 0.6 cm in size and can be pathologically divided into three types: junctional nevus (nevus cells are confined to the junction of the epidermis and dermis, which are intraepidermal nevus), compound nevus (nevus cells are not only distributed in the epidermis, but also extend down to the dermis), and intradermal nevus (nevus cells are completely located in the dermis). The clinical appearance of a mole is also related to its pathological classification. Junctional nevi appear as flat brown to black spots that do not protrude from the skin surface. Compound nevi usually appear as brown raised papules or nodules. Intradermal nevi are larger and more raised, appearing as light brown or flesh-colored nodules, which are generally called "flesh nevi".

Classification of melanocytic nevus

Congenital melanocytic nevus can be found in 1% to 2% of newborns, but the incidence of giant congenital melanocytic nevus is less than one in 20,000 (foreign statistics). Clinically, melanocytic nevi can be divided into three types according to their size:

Small melanocytic nevi: less than two centimeters in size, preferably distributed on the lower body, upper back, shoulders, chest and proximal limbs.

Intermediate melanocytic nevus: The size ranges from 2 to 20 cm.

Giant melanocytic nevus: It is larger than 20 cm in size and is mainly distributed on the back half of the trunk. Some people may have it on the head or limbs. It may cover large areas of skin on the body. They are usually dark in color and lightly covered with hair, with satellite lesions scattered around the main mass.

Most congenital giant melanocytic nevi are benign, but congenital giant melanocytic nevi are usually more complicated than acquired giant melanocytic nevi. According to its growth pattern, it can be divided into three types: