Question 1

is a mole a sign of  skin cancer or it can be a sign of other types of cancer ?

Accepted Answer

Most often not!: There are many different moles or lesions that present on the skin during a persons lifetime. The vast majority are benign and of no consequence except for maybe appearance concerns. However there are certain moles or skin lesions that need to be evaluated because of their characteristics. Color changes, inflammation, enlargement are all things that should be checked by a physician

Question 2

if a mole is cancerous it could indicates only skin cancer or it could indicate another type of cancer (only want to know as a general information)?

Accepted Answer

Metastatic : Could be a metastasis from a cancer elsewhere in the body.

Question 3

i have a lightly colored, brown mole which swells up a bit and turns to red after i scratch it. is this normal, it this a type of skin cancer?

Accepted Answer

Probably not: It is hard to say since I am not there to see it. If you are absolutely unsure i would go see a dermatologist.

Question 4

can i send a photo of a mole to assess if its dangerous in terms of skin cancer?

Accepted Answer

No: That will not be possible on this platform. Best would be to have it assessed by your doc during your annual exam. When it comes to skin lesions, evaluation on pictures remains suboptimal.

Question 5

how to i check my moles for skin cancer?

Accepted Answer

Learn your ABCD's: Melanomas are screened by the abcd's:  a-asymmetry;  b-irregular borders; c-different colors; d-diameber >6mm (size of pencil eraser).  If you notice a mole with these characteristics, get it checked out asap.  If you have a skin lesion which is growing, ulcerating, bleeding, or otherwise changing, get it seen as well for evaluation and possible biopsy. Best wishes.

Question 6

can every skin cancer start with a mole?

Accepted Answer

No! Greatly varies : Skin cancer can take in many appearances such as a rash, ulcer, sore, spider vein-like, swelling, scar, and many other appearances.

Question 7

could cancer moles only mean skin cancer?

Accepted Answer

Not sure: I'm really not sure how to answer your question. If you have been diagnosed by a pathologist with "cancer moles" that could mean that you have skin cancer, but most doctors do not use a term like "cancer mole". Doctors usually use more specific terms like "squamous cell carcinoma", "basal cell carcinoma", "melanoma", etc. If you could tell me exactly what the pathologist said, i could explain.

Question 8

does skin cancer always start from a mole?

Accepted Answer

Skin Cancer and Mole: There are different types of skin cancer. A melanoma is a skin cancer that can start from a mole. The signs that a mole is cancerous could be a change in symmetry, shape, size, or color. Basal cell skin cancer and squamous cell skin cancer do not start from moles. All types of skin cancer are thought to increase in incidence with more exposure to ultraviolet radiation.

Question 9

link between skin cancer and moles/freckles?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Melanoma is a skin cancer starting from pigment producing cells called melanocytes. Moles which change color, have irregular borders, grow or bleed would be concerning features that mole has evolved into a melanoma. Best to see a dermatologist.

Question 10

what are the signs that a mole is skin cancer?

Accepted Answer

Information: Any change in the appearance of a spot that has been present for a while. For moles , darkening of the color,  recent increase in size, irregular borders, dark black color. Sometimes central ulceration.

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Doctor answers about:

Types of skin cancer moles

A member asked:

Is a mole a sign of skin cancer or it can be a sign of other types of cancer ?

A member asked:

If a mole is cancerous it could indicates only skin cancer or it could indicate another type of cancer (only want to know as a general information)?

A member asked:

I have a lightly colored, brown mole which swells up a bit and turns to red after i scratch it. is this normal, it this a type of skin cancer?

A member asked:

Can i send a photo of a mole to assess if its dangerous in terms of skin cancer?

A member asked:

How to i check my moles for skin cancer?

A member asked:

Can every skin cancer start with a mole?

A member asked:

Could cancer moles only mean skin cancer?

A member asked:

Does skin cancer always start from a mole?

A member asked:

Link between skin cancer and moles/freckles?

A member asked:

What are the signs that a mole is skin cancer?

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