Removed mole, rooth left, very scared

[tanjci]

During pregnancy, mole under my breast changed, and two days before giving birth my familly Dr used liquid nitrogen on it. I t didnt help, only got infected because mole was very big (raised, skin coloured, soft). Seven days after giving birth I went for check up and Dr removed it using shave method, wound got infected again and I was putting polysporin on it. Biopsy was done, and it is benign. Because rooth is left inside I am very scard that after all the infections and irritations it can turn into cancer. Is that possible? please answer me I am very concerned, especially because I have three children. Thank You

[Rowena Santos, MD]

Hi,

It is good that the biopsy is benign. Moles can be removed by laser, surgery or electrocautery. For surgery, many dermatologic and plastic surgeons first use a freezing solution, usually liquid nitrogen, on a raised mole and then shave it away with a scalpel. If your  surgeon opts for the shaving method, it is important that he or she also cauterizes the stump.A shaved site leaves a red mark on the site which returns to the patient’s usual skin color in about two weeks. However, there might still be a risk of spread of the melanoma, so the methods of melanoma diagnosis, including excisional biopsy or entire lump or area removed.

Discuss this with your doctor and if still in doubt, excision of the whole mole should be an option. Take care and keep us posted.