Dr. Cole is board certified in dermatology. He obtained his BA degree in bacteriology, his MA degree in microbiology, and his MD at the University of California, Los Angeles. He trained in dermatology at the University of Oregon, where he completed his residency.
Dr. Shiel received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Notre Dame. There he was involved in research in radiation biology and received the Huisking Scholarship. After graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, he completed his Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship at the University of California, Irvine. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology.
Skin cancer may at times
masquerade or hide as a regular mole.
Irregular or changing moles should be
promptly examined by your physician or dermatologist.
Minor surgery is the
most effective way to remove a mole.
What are moles?
Besides being a small burrowing mammal and a unit of chemical weight, the term
mole (in reference to skin) is used to describe a variety of skin imperfections. Personally, I prefer the term
beauty mark. Moles may be tan, brown, black, reddish brown, red, purple,
or skin-colored and perfectly flat or raised. Most moles are the size of a pencil eraser (about 6 mm).
Certain moles become darker and more apparent with sun exposure and
pregnancy. These typically lighten somewhat in the winter months. Moles can occur anywhere on the skin, including the scalp, ears, eyelids, lips, palms, soles, genitals, penis, and anal area.
The medical term for most moles is melanocytic nevus (plural nevi) which is composed of masses of melanocytes, the pigment-producing cells of the skin. However, there are a variety of other skin lesions that are also mole-like. These include seborrheic keratoses,
skin tags, dermatofibromas
lentigines, and freckles. In this article, the term moles will be synonymous with melanocytic nevus.
Reviewed by William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR on 10/4/2012
Medical Author: Melissa Stoppler, M.D.
Medical Editor:
William C. Shiel, Jr, MD, FACP, FACR
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, one in
five Americans will develop some form of skin
cancerin their lifetime. Sun
exposure is the leading cause of skin cancer, and people with fair skin and
light eyes whose skin has a tendency to burn easily in the sun are most susceptible to the damaging effects
of the sun's UV rays. Fortunately, most skin cancers can be detected in their
early stages since skin tumors are more visible than tumors of the internal
organs.
Early detection is essential for successful treatment of
skin cancers. You should consult your doctor if you have any suspicious skin changes or lesions
including:
moles that have changed in appearance, bleed, or
become itchy
new moles or sores
ulcers that do not heal
moles that have grown or exhibit unusual changes
Avoidance of sun exposure and use of appropriate sunscreenproducts are the
best ways to prevent all skin cancers.
Melanoma is a type of skin cancer which begins in skin cells called melanocytes and affects more than 53,600 people in the United States each year. These
Sunburn is caused by overexposure to UV radiation from the sun. UV rays can also damage the eyes. Repeated overexposure to UV rays also increases the risk
Cancer is a disease caused by an abnormal growth of cells, also called malignancy. It is a group of 100 different diseases, and is not contagious. Cancer
Scar formation is a natural part of the healing process after injury. The depth and size of the wound incision and the location of the injury impact the
Genetic disease is a disorder or condition caused by abnormalities in a person's genome. Types of genetic inheritance include single inheritance (for example,
Birthmarks and other abnormal skin pigmentation is caused by the body's inability to produce enough melanin. Abnormal skin pigmentation can cause conditions
Sunscreens are crucial for sun protection. Sun damage to the skin from exposure to ultraviolet rays is a risk factor for skin cancer and melanoma. To avoid
A skin biopsy is the removal of a piece of skin for the purpose of further
examination in the laboratory using a microscope. Skin biopsies are performed to
diagnose a number of conditions.
