Is a pigmented nevus a melanoma?

Almost everyone has moles of varying sizes and numbers. Don’t underestimate these small moles. Some of them may be related to cancer and may evolve from moles to highly malignant melanomas. I believe that many people cannot distinguish between moles and melanomas. Here we will analyze the differences between moles and melanomas in detail to facilitate prevention and detection.

Five major differences between moles and melanoma

1. Edge: The edge of a mole is smooth and clearly demarcated from the surrounding skin, while the edge of a malignant melanoma is irregular and serrated. In addition, the surface is rough with scaly or flaky desquamation, sometimes with exudate or bleeding, and the lesion is higher than the skin.

2. Diameter: The diameter of a mole is generally less than 5 mm, while the diameter of a malignant melanoma is greater than 5 mm.

3. Asymmetry: The two halves of a mole are symmetrical, while the two halves of a malignant melanoma are asymmetrical.

4. Color: Moles are usually brown, brown or black; while malignant melanomas are brown or tan with pink, white or blue-black. Among them, blue is the most ominous, while white indicates that the tumor has spontaneous degeneration. Nodular malignant melanomas are always blue-black or gray.

5. Other symptoms: Pay special attention to moles that are itchy or painful when pressed. If such moles continue to develop, they are likely to become ulcerative lesions, and the stinging or burning pain will become more obvious. Satellite nodules may also appear around them or regional lymph node enlargement may occur, indicating that the disease has progressed to the late stage.