Itchy Mole On Skin – Signal To Watch Out For Melanoma
Itchy Mole On Skin
A mole is a collection of pigmented cells concentrated abnormally in one part of the skin. Moles as such are very common in people and many are born with them. Many a time, we tend to develop them due to exposure of skin to allergens or sun. Though they tend to disappear with age the issue crops up when they turn in to itchy moles on skin which may be a symptom of skin cancer. When this condition arises it becomes a big concern and you need to immediately seek medical advice and get the same examined by doctors.
When Does An Itchy Mole On Skin Become Mlignant?
There are lists of symptoms which can tell you if there is a cause of concern or if it is just normal moles. Not all itchy mole on skin turns in to cancerous moles. Detailed below are the symptoms that will help you identify the abnormality at an early stage and get it treated.
- When there is a sudden increase in the concentration of moles and the number goes beyond 20/25.
- Past family occurrence of melanoma moles that turned malignant.
- The mole turns painful and itchy.
- Appearance of the mole along the edges becomes irregular and curved.
- You notice a growth in the mole size and shape.
- The shape of the itchy mole becomes distorted or changed.
- Mottling of the mole happens.
- Change in the color of the mole.
- You can see pigmented satellite lesions.
- The skin around the mole becomes dry, flaky and bleeding occurs.
Any of these above symptoms points out to the risk of melanoma malignancy. Again not all itchy mole on skin is cancerous and malignant. It can also be a basal cell cancer or even a concentration of benign and non carcinogenic pigment cells. But when you notice any of the above symptoms it is better to test and rule out cancer and undergo proper treatment for the removal of the mole.
Treatment For Malignant Itchy Mole On Skin
If it is diagnosed through clinical tests and biopsy tests that the itchy mole is indeed melanoma malignancy or basal cell carcinoma then it is imperative to go in for the following treatment.
- Surgery is used to remove the cancerous itchy mole on skin. The type of surgical procedure is decided based on the invasion depth of the tumor and its thickness. It is necessary to remove surrounding cells (even if normal) and the underlying fatty tissues for prevention of spreading of cancer in future.
- Usually interferon is administered post surgery to reduce the risk of recurrence of melanoma. This can be administered by self as it is in an injectable form. The dosage is a minimum of three times a week.
If the biopsy results show the spread of cancer to the adjoining lymph nodes then it is up to the surgeon to decide further course of action. If itchy mole cannot be cured through surgery, doctor may recommend chemotherapy.