Moles

Summary

Moles are growths on the skin. They happen when pigment cells in the skin, called melanocytes, grow in clusters. Moles are very common. Most people have between 10 and 40 moles. A person may develop new moles from time to time, usually until about age 40. In older people, they tend to fade away.

Moles are usually pink, tan or brown. They can be flat or raised. They are usually round or oval and no larger than a pencil eraser.

About one out of every ten people has at least one unusual (or atypical) mole that looks different from an ordinary mole. They are called dysplastic nevi. They may be more likely than ordinary moles to develop into melanoma, a type of skin cancer. You should have a health care professional check your moles if they look unusual, grow larger, change in color or outline, or in any other way.

NIH: National Cancer Institute

National Cancer Institute

Find an Expert

• American Academy of Dermatology American Academy of Dermatology
• Find a Dermatologic Surgeon American Society for Dermatologic Surgery
• Find a Dermatologist American Academy of Dermatology
• National Cancer Institute National Cancer Institute
• National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases

Specifics

• Atypical Moles American Osteopathic College of Dermatology
• Frequently Asked Questions about Congenital Melanocytic Nevus (CMN) Nevus Outreach, Inc.

Images

• Atypical Nevus VisualDX
• Mole (Nevus) VisualDX

Related Issues

• Birthmarks Nemours Foundation

Patient Handouts

• Birthmarks – pigmented Medical Encyclopedia
• Giant congenital nevus Medical Encyclopedia
• Skin self-exam Medical Encyclopedia

Clinical Trials

• ClinicalTrials.gov: Nevus National Institutes of Health

Start Here

• Common Moles, Dysplastic Nevi, and Risk of Melanoma National Cancer Institute
• Moles American Osteopathic College of Dermatology
• Moles: Overview American Academy of Dermatology
• What Does a Mole Look Like? National Cancer Institute

Prevention and Risk Factors

• Detect Skin Cancer: Body Mole Map American Academy of Dermatology

Treatments and Therapies

• Nevus Removal Nevus Outreach, Inc.
• Products Marketed for Removing Moles and Other Skin Lesions Can Cause Injuries, Scarring Food and Drug Administration
• Treatment Options for Congenital Pigmented Nevus Nevus Outreach, Inc.

Children

• Nevus, Congenital Melanocytic VisualDX

Living With

• Psychological Challenges Associated with Congenital Melanocytic Nevus (CMN) Nevus Outreach, Inc.

Journal Articles

• Moles