Medical Term for Mole
The medical term for a mole is "melanocytic nevus" (plural: melanocytic nevi). 1
Characteristics of Melanocytic Nevi
Melanocytic nevi are benign tumors of melanocytes (pigment-producing cells) with the following characteristics:
- They can appear as flat or raised pigmented lesions on the skin 1
- They vary in color from flesh-colored to brown or black 1
- They can be congenital (present at birth) or acquired (develop later in life) 1
- They can occur anywhere on the body, including special sites such as acral skin, genital areas, and flexural skin 2
Clinical Significance
Melanocytic nevi have important clinical significance:
- They serve as risk markers for melanoma development - individuals with multiple nevi have an increased risk of developing melanoma 3
- They can occasionally be direct precursors to melanoma, though the transformation rate is very low (approximately 0.0005% or less annually in individuals under 40) 3
- They are the most important simulants of melanoma, making them crucial in differential diagnosis 4
Types of Melanocytic Nevi
Several distinct types of melanocytic nevi exist:
- Common acquired nevi - the most prevalent type 4
- Dysplastic nevi - atypical moles that may have irregular borders and color variations 4
- Congenital nevi - present at birth, with giant congenital pigmented nevi requiring long-term follow-up due to increased melanoma risk 1
- Special site nevi - occur in specific anatomical locations and may show atypical features that can mimic melanoma 2
- Deep penetrating nevus - a distinct variant that can be mistaken for malignant melanoma 5
Clinical Evaluation
When evaluating melanocytic nevi, clinicians should assess:
- The "ABCD" features: Asymmetry, Border irregularities, Color heterogeneity, and Dynamics (changes in size, shape, or color) 1
- The "ugly duckling" concept - identifying moles that look different from other moles on the same person 1
- Dermoscopy by an experienced physician enhances diagnostic accuracy 1
Risk Assessment and Management
For patients with melanocytic nevi:
- Patients with atypical mole phenotype, previous melanoma, or organ transplant recipients have moderately increased melanoma risk (8-10 times the general population) and should be taught self-examination 1
- Patients with giant congenital pigmented nevi require long-term follow-up due to increased melanoma risk 1
- Individuals with a family history of three or more cases of melanoma should be referred to specialized services 1
- Suspicious lesions should be excised completely with a 2mm margin of normal skin for histopathological examination 1
Important Considerations
- Prophylactic excision of normal-appearing nevi is not recommended in the absence of suspicious features 1
- Partial removal of nevi for diagnosis should be avoided as it may lead to incorrect diagnosis and make accurate pathological staging impossible 1
- While most nevi remain stable throughout life, patients should be educated about concerning changes that warrant medical attention 1