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A member asked:

How do they determine whether a mole is cancerous or not? is biopsy the only sure way?

A doctor has provided 1 answer

Yes: A dermatologist has the highest skill level to be able to visually determine whether a mole is cancerous or not and can use a dermatoscope to add in visual diagnosis but the only 100% method is to biopsy the mole and send to a pathology lab for reading.

Answered 7/5/2012

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Related Questions

A member asked:

If the only way to know if moles or lesions are cancerous is to take a biopsy, what's the purpose of a screening? What if a doctor suspects a mole is normal when it's not? Would it be quick to change?

A doctor has provided 1 answer

A member asked:

Just had a mole biopsy taken from my arm. If it does concern drs, what would be the next steps to testing me for skin cancer?

6 doctors weighed in across 2 answers

A member asked:

I have a black line in my nail that has been there for about 7 yrs. Saw 2 derma already and both said it does not look like cancer but a mole. Biopsy?

6 doctors weighed in across 4 answers

A member asked:

I have a mole on my breast that Ive had all my life and i dont have one like it. Yesterday I went to the clinic and was told it checks all the ABCD boxes and I need a biopsy done on it can a life long mole turn cancerous??? Im so nervous?

2 doctors weighed in across 2 answers

A member asked:

Had two cancerous moles removed at age 12. 21 now. Having a biopsy done of a large mole on my breast. If cancerous could it cause breast cancer?

2 doctors weighed in across 2 answers

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People also searched for:

Is a skin biopsy the only way to determine skin cancer? I have a mole on my arm that I am concerned about. I am scared to death that if i go to the dermatologist that he will order a biopsy to be done. Are there any other, less invasive ways of determini
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I had a mole removed a couple of days ago and am now waiting to hear whe the biopsy says.. But i read some where that all moles that have changed color are cancer. I am 48 years old
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