Does a Discolored Mole Always Mean Melanoma?

Each year, more than 150,000 Americans are diagnosed with melanoma, the deadliest type of skin cancer. Thankfully, the earlier you detect melanoma and treat it, the more likely you are to beat the disease and live a long, healthy life. 

But to catch melanoma early, you must be able to identify it from a mole. 

At Manhattan Dermatology, our board-certified dermatologists specialize in diagnosing and treating melanoma. Below, we explain how to tell the difference between a discolored mole and melanoma and when to seek professional help. 

Moles versus melanoma

Discolored moles and melanoma can look similar, but they aren’t the same. Let’s take a closer look at the differences.

Moles

A mole is a benign (noncancerous) skin growth that’s light or dark brown. These growths form when melanocytes — pigment-forming cells — grow together, creating a visible cluster. 

Most people have 10-45 moles on average. They typically appear during childhood or adolescence and often change shape and color throughout your life.

Melanoma 

Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that affects the melanocytes, the cells responsible for pigment or skin color. Often, melanoma forms on skin regularly exposed to sunlight, such as your arms, back, face, and legs. 

Melanoma often looks similar to a mole in the early stages of development, but there are some key differences to watch out for. 

The difference between a discolored mole and melanoma

The easiest way to tell the difference between a discolored mole and melanoma is to use the ABCDE rule. ABCDE is an acronym for:

Asymmetry

Moles tend to be perfectly symmetrical, while melanoma often has an abnormal shape. Look for moles that have an irregular or unbalanced appearance.

Border

The edges of noncancerous moles are typically soft and rounded. Melanoma, on the other hand, often has ragged, notched, or blurred edges.

Color

Most noncancerous moles are pink, brown, tan, or black. The color is uniform and doesn’t change. Melanoma often has color variations. For example, half of the melanoma might be light brown, while the other half is red or black. 

Diameter

Benign moles are typically less than a quarter inch in diameter, whereas melanoma is larger. Any mole-looking growth larger than 6 millimeters in diameter deserves a dermatologist’s inspection.

Evolving

Noncancerous moles look the same for years at a time. They might change slightly in color as a normal part of aging but don’t grow. Melanoma is different in that it gets bigger over time. You might also notice that it bleeds, itches, or feels uncomfortable. 

When should I see a dermatologist about a discolored mole?

Make an appointment with us if you notice any abnormal moles when examining your skin. That’s especially true if you notice changes to a specific mole’s color, thickness, size, or shape.

Even though most discolored moles are benign and nothing to worry about, it’s a good idea to get them checked out. In a best-case scenario, there’s nothing to worry about. And in a worst-case one, you can take steps to treat the melanoma and prevent it from spreading. 

What to expect if you have an abnormal mole

If we identify a mole of concern, we collect a small skin sample (biopsy) and send it to a nearby lab for analysis. Lab technicians look at your biopsy sample under a microscope and examine it for cancerous cells. 

If your mole is cancerous, the first line of treatment is removing it. After that, we develop a personalized care plan.

Whether you’ve recently discovered a discolored mole or have simply noticed a change in an existing one, we’re here to help. Schedule a consultation with one of our experts online or over the phone at our office in the Murray Hill or Midtown East sections of Manhattan, New York City.