Chance of melanoma?

I just visited a dermatologist yesterday.  I have had a brown raised mole on my outer labia for as long as I can remember.  I am a 34 year old Caucasian woman, very fair skin.  After the birth of my first child, I noticed that the mole seemed to take on a bit of an irregular shape - on one side it seems to be spreading out to the surrounding skin ever so slightly and is flat in that area.  Also, there is a bit of black on the edge of the mole - it has been that way always.  Three years later, I am now pregnant again and have gone to get the mole checked out, as I am afraid that my growing stomach will not allow me to monitor it soon.  The dermatologist recommended that it be removed asap and that it should be tested.  She said it is probably nothing, but I am now starting to panic!  The mole has not changed at all in the 3 years since I noticed its bit of irregularity.  If it is indeed a melanoma, would it not have changed in the past several years?  I am not sure of how long you can have melanoma before it would become obvious.  Please advise.  Thanks very much.

Chris

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

I advise you to follow the dermatologist's advice and have it off.  It is indeed reassuring that the mole hasn't changed, but if the dermatologist thinks it's irregular, it should come off, for peace of mind if nothing else.  It will probably turn out to be just a mole, but the quicker you find that out, the happier you'll be.

Please let me know how it turns out.

Best.

Dr. Rockoff