A 45-year-old member asked:
How do you tell if a mole on your back is cancerous?
2 doctor answers • 6 doctors weighed in
Dr. Bryan Wuanswered
Pathology 22 years experience
Biopsy and pathology: Your clinician may be able to look at the lesion, either by the naked eye or with the help of tools such as a dermatoscope, to see if the mole has worrisome features. Whether the mole has changed in size or color is important for your clinician to know. If there is persistent concern, the lesion should be conservatively but completely excised to be examined under a microscope by a pathologist.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Humberto Palladinoanswered
Plastic Surgery 23 years experience
Mole in back: Since they are in a location hard to follow you should get evaluated. Changes in color, shape, irregular borders, ulceration or symptoms should prompt a professional evaluation.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Similar questions
A 20-year-old member asked:
I have an itchy mole on my back, is it cancerous?
2 doctor answers • 4 doctors weighed in
Dr. Danny Proffittanswered
Family Medicine 45 years experience
Get it checked!: We can't know, but one thing for sure is that if you have a changing lesion on your skin, you must get it check out with a pcp, dermatologist or other physician with interest in skin diseases/disorders. Please? Get it checked.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 43-year-old member asked:
Is it possible to tell if a mole is cancerous?
1 doctor answer • 3 doctors weighed in
Dr. Andrew Turrisianswered
Radiation Oncology 49 years experience
Experts can look: And tell, but still biopsy or excise. Appearance, bleeding, color change, depth, expansion radially are all characteristics of melanoma. Some basal cells are pigmented. Why internet? Go see a malignancy astute dermatologist. I would.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 42-year-old member asked:
Can you tell if a mole is cancerous by looking at it?
2 doctor answers • 5 doctors weighed in
Dr. Andrew Turrisianswered
Radiation Oncology 49 years experience
You can't: But an expert can narrow it down fairly well, but still needs to be biopsies or excised if suspicious, .
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 36-year-old member asked:
How to tell if my mole is cancerous?
2 doctor answers • 7 doctors weighed in
Dr. Andrew Turrisianswered
Radiation Oncology 49 years experience
ABCD/mole: Is what you should google, and they even show pictures. Briefly, border symmetry, color variation, growth both radial and verticle. Your doctor and the a dermatologist skilled in melanom is next step.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 49-year-old member asked:
How do you tell if you have a cancerous mole?
3 doctor answers • 4 doctors weighed in
Dr. Muaiad Kittanehanswered
Addiction Medicine 22 years experience
It depends: There are several things that should alert you to seek medical attention. If the mole becomes asymmetric or boarders are irregular or changes color or diameter increase then a biopsy might be needed to rule out cancer. Other things to watch for include: pain, itching, bleeding, ulceration or scaly appearance.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Last updated Jan 20, 2017
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