Differential Diagnosis for a Mole on the Face
Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Benign melanocytic nevus (mole): This is the most common and likely diagnosis for a mole on the face, as most moles are benign and harmless.
Other Likely Diagnoses
- Seborrheic keratosis: A common, benign skin growth that can appear as a mole but is usually more rough and wart-like in texture.
- Dermatofibroma: A small, harmless growth that can resemble a mole but often has a different texture and may appear after minor injury.
- Solar lentigo: A flat, brown spot that can resemble a mole, caused by sun exposure.
Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Melanoma: Although less likely, melanoma is a deadly skin cancer that can present as a new or changing mole; it's crucial to evaluate any mole for the ABCDE signs (Asymmetry, Border irregularity, Color variation, Diameter >6mm, Evolving).
- Basal cell carcinoma: A type of skin cancer that can sometimes resemble a mole, especially if it has a pigmented component.
Rare Diagnoses
- Blue nevus: A rare, benign mole that appears blue due to the depth of the pigment in the skin.
- Congenital melanocytic nevus: A mole present at birth, which can have a higher risk of developing into melanoma, although this is still rare.
- Merkel cell carcinoma: A rare, aggressive skin cancer that can appear as a firm, painless nodule or a changing mole, often in sun-exposed areas.