Mole: surgical treatment

Moles appear in the form of round or oval skin growths , but can also be flat, without relief. The contours of a benign mole are regular, its color is brown, brown, blue or even flesh. They can be located on the face but also anywhere on the body .

You should know that a mole does not cause itching or pain.

It is important to differentiate atypical moles from normal moles because even though they are not cancerous, they are distinguished by their larger size, irregular outlines and varying colors. Areas exposed to the sun are particularly conducive to the appearance of atypical moles.

Although most moles are not dangerous, a cancerous evolution remains possible and justifies regular monitoring. The risk of developing melanoma is higher in people who are over 50. Also, increased vigilance must be present in patients with known risk factors for skin cancer.

Any change in the appearance of a known mole should alert you to the risk of melanoma . For example, a mole that scratches and/or bleeds should prompt a consultation.

The ABCDE rule allows you to monitor your moles and look for signs of melanoma :

• A: Asymmetry
• B: Borders
• C: Color
• D: Diameter
• E: Evolution

The earlier the diagnosis of melanoma, the better the results of treatment.

Prevention of skin cancer is not the only indication for surgical treatment. It is quite possible to remove a mole due to aesthetic discomfort or functional discomfort (mole located at the level of a friction zone for example).

Dermatological surgery addresses different skin lesions. When a mole is suspected of malignancy, surgical removal makes it possible to perform a biopsy (histological analysis) in order to confirm or rule out the possibility of skin cancer.

The presence of a contraindication to laser treatment of a mole may also indicate the need for surgery.

The dermatological surgery consultation is the first step in your therapeutic journey.

During this first appointment, certain skin conditions can also be taken care of immediately, such as the treatment of acrochordons, warts , seborrheic keratoses or even the removal of milium grains when their number does not exceed 5. .

After a targeted clinical examination, possibly supplemented by a dermoscopy if your dermatologist deems this necessary, dermatological surgery of a mole is possible.

The surgical removal of a mole is done on an outpatient basis and takes a few minutes. A local anesthetic is injected, then the mole is removed using a scalpel. The skin is then sutured and a dressing will be placed on the wound. It will be possible to remove up to 3 moles during the same session . For your convenience, a second session will be scheduled if the number of nevi is greater.

Different surgical excision techniques can be considered and depend on the initial indication as well as the appearance of the mole .

Laser treatment of moles is only possible if the mole is confirmed to be benign.

Unlike laser treatment of moles, surgery should be expected to leave a residual scar.

The application of healing cream is required to accelerate optimal healing.

The acts associated with the surgical treatment of a mole are available in the table below: