Question 1

there is a mole on my back. it was giving me a feeling of stretching. now it has spread over my back but no moles. what could this be? help please.

Accepted Answer

Irritation: Moles or nevi can often become irritated by scratching or rubbing against clothing. If a mole becomes inflamed, the sensation may radiate to the surrounding normal skin. See a dermatologist to have the mole checked for possible removal and biopsy.

Question 2

how long would it take for a changing mole to become cancerous and spread?

Accepted Answer

It's moot: If a mole is changing, or shows any sign of being a melanoma, you need to make an appointment and be seen now. I would not accept a waiting period of more than two weeks, and would try to be seen at once. Progression from a benign-looking mole into a lesion capable of metastasizing is known to take as little as a few months. Get seen now.

Question 3

how quickly does cancer in a mole normally spread?

Accepted Answer

It depends: There is no easy answer for this.  The potential for spread in a melanoma really depends on how deep it is when it is caught and if it is ulcerated (open and bleeding).  The deeper it is the more likely it is to have spread. The rate of spread is variable.  Predictors of a worse outcome include: male gender, >65 years of age, extremities involvement, lymph node involvement and metastases.

Question 4

how long does it take for a cancerous mole to spread? when i touch it and its red around the edge. do you think it's cancerous?

Accepted Answer

It takes time: Cancer often remains localized for a finite period of time. The whole process takes weeks to months to evolve. So there is ample time to get yourself checked and verify if it is anything that needs a biopsy or not. Many skin conditions are labeled as moles but they may not be melanoma precursors or moles, that can become a melanoma. You should go see a dermatologist when in doubt.

Question 5

how do you determine if a growth/mole is hpv or something else it's small doesn't hurt flesh colored had it for a while hasn't spread (no $ for a dr)?

Accepted Answer

Skin lesion: If you are in a location close to a medical school they may well have free outpatient clinics with either a family physician or a dermatologist available and a quick look will generally be sufficient to allow determination of the risk.  Do this. Good luck.

Question 6

if you rub off a melanoma mole . could it potentialy spread underneath the skin without you knowing?

Accepted Answer

: You cannot rub off a melanoma. So this would not happen but if you have a spot that you have concerns about see a doctor and get a biopsy.

Question 7

i had a mole about a year ago  that could potentially  have been melanoma . i rubbed it off because i was scared . could rubbing it off potentially made it spread if it was indeed an early melanoma? what should i  do? the mole hasn't grown back?

Accepted Answer

: Consult dermatologist so they can look at every part of your skin. You cannot rub off a melanoma usually.  So probably something else. If you took good picture show to the Derm.

Question 8

i scraped a mole that was raised  off at home about a year ago and it bled and healed . it hasn't grown back.just a dark spot is left now. how do i know if it was cancerous or not? if it was cancerous could it have spread without me not knowing ?

Accepted Answer

: More details are needed. This needs to be seen. See a dermatologist.  There are some skin conditions that spread, some do not.

Question 9

my pcp told me to get a mole checked out in july '20.how likely are moles to be melenoma and how quickly would it take to spread if it is? its tan and round with a brown dot in the middle so diff colors but has symmetry and is small, ar 3mm, no pain?

Accepted Answer

Need to examine: There is wide variation in the behaviors of moles and melanomas and it is not feasible to provide a meaningful opinion.
You may watch and wait. If the mole doubles in size, becomes irregular in size, shape or color, bleeds, ulcerates or develops a nodule, see a doctor. 
Wish you good health!

Question 10

if a melanoma is scraped off and leave a small spot. would the mole always regrow if its melanoma? or can it spread internally without the top regrowing?

Accepted Answer

: It is always possible that the cancer is melanoma will recur in the same area. Even below the surface of the skin.

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Doctor answers about:

Mole spreading after picking it

A member asked:

There is a mole on my back. it was giving me a feeling of stretching. now it has spread over my back but no moles. what could this be? help please.

A member asked:

How long would it take for a changing mole to become cancerous and spread?

A member asked:

How quickly does cancer in a mole normally spread?

A member asked:

How long does it take for a cancerous mole to spread? when i touch it and its red around the edge. do you think it's cancerous?

A member asked:

How do you determine if a growth/mole is hpv or something else it's small doesn't hurt flesh colored had it for a while hasn't spread (no $ for a dr)?

A member asked:

If you rub off a melanoma mole . could it potentialy spread underneath the skin without you knowing?

A member asked:

I had a mole about a year ago that could potentially have been melanoma . i rubbed it off because i was scared . could rubbing it off potentially made it spread if it was indeed an early melanoma? what should i do? the mole hasn't grown back?

A member asked:

I scraped a mole that was raised off at home about a year ago and it bled and healed . it hasn't grown back.just a dark spot is left now. how do i know if it was cancerous or not? if it was cancerous could it have spread without me not knowing ?

A member asked:

My pcp told me to get a mole checked out in july '20.how likely are moles to be melenoma and how quickly would it take to spread if it is? its tan and round with a brown dot in the middle so diff colors but has symmetry and is small, ar 3mm, no pain?

A member asked:

If a melanoma is scraped off and leave a small spot. would the mole always regrow if its melanoma? or can it spread internally without the top regrowing?

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