Painful Mole

Question:

I have a mole-like spot on my inner thigh. It has grown over the years and sometimes it hurts. Should I be concerned? Do I need to see a doctor about this?

Answer:

Moles are very common; most people have them. They usually begin before the age of 20 and grow very slowly over time. The color will often change to a lighter shade and the mole can become raised.

Rarely, a mole can become cancerous. The characteristics that raise concerns that a mole has become cancerous include:

A sudden change in size;

Irregular coloring;

An asymmetric appearance rather than an oval or round shape;

A jagged rather than a smooth border.

Most moles are not painful or itchy. Since you are experiencing some pain, the safest advice is to show your primary care practitioner the mole or have it examined by a dermatologist.

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Source: from the Harvard Health Publications Family Health Guide, Copyright © 2007 by President and Fellows of Harvard College. All rights reserved.

Used with permission of StayWell.

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