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Dermatology (Expert Forum)
Suspicious Mole
Answered by
Alan Rockoff, MD - dermatology, Child Skin Problems
The Rockoff Dermatology Center
Brookline - MA
Welcome to the DERMATOLOGY FORUM! Questions in this forum are answered by Dermatologists from St. Luke's Roosevelt Hospital, under the direction of Andrew Alexis, M.D., M.P.H.
Suspicious Mole
by tulanejosh, Mar 01, 2009 06:52PM
Hi Dr Rockoff,
I have a mole that i have had since childhood. it hasnt really changed that i know of, though i haven't examined it regularly since, well, i've had it as long as i can remember.
My old dermatologist moved on to a new practive, so the physicians assistant did my last screening (on Thursday). During my exam, she marked this mole down for observation and asked me to come back in 6 months. Specifically, she noticed that the mole has 2 small dots of darker brown in it. I dont think these are new, and i dont think the the mole has really changed at all. I'm not that old (still in my 20s) and this particular area of my body has not gotten a lot of sun exposure, especially for the last 10 years. And i have gotten fairly regularly checked dating back to childhood.
I know she's doing her due dilligence, especially since the old doctor never marked anything down. But I am really scared. I called her back and asked if we should just remove it and sent it off for testing if she was concerned, and she said that it didn't look too worrisome. Still, I'm very concerned.
While i know you havent seen it ( i can submit a photo if you'd like), but am i letting my nerves get the best of me or do i have legitimate cause for concern?
I have a mole that i have had since childhood. it hasnt really changed that i know of, though i haven't examined it regularly since, well, i've had it as long as i can remember.
My old dermatologist moved on to a new practive, so the physicians assistant did my last screening (on Thursday). During my exam, she marked this mole down for observation and asked me to come back in 6 months. Specifically, she noticed that the mole has 2 small dots of darker brown in it. I dont think these are new, and i dont think the the mole has really changed at all. I'm not that old (still in my 20s) and this particular area of my body has not gotten a lot of sun exposure, especially for the last 10 years. And i have gotten fairly regularly checked dating back to childhood.
I know she's doing her due dilligence, especially since the old doctor never marked anything down. But I am really scared. I called her back and asked if we should just remove it and sent it off for testing if she was concerned, and she said that it didn't look too worrisome. Still, I'm very concerned.
While i know you havent seen it ( i can submit a photo if you'd like), but am i letting my nerves get the best of me or do i have legitimate cause for concern?
Doctor's Answer
by Alan Rockoff, MD, Mar 01, 2009 07:43PM
, Mar 01, 2009 07:43PMTo: tulanejosh
I understand your concern, but your description doesn't sound worrisome. It is OK to mark a mole and watch it, though recommending this does make people nervous. Since I didn't see it, I can't really say much more. I think it's fine to just have a glance at it once a month or so, and bring any change to your provider's attention if you see one. But if you can't deal with your anxiety, then you can go back and insist on either removal or another opinion.
Take care.
Dr. Rockoff
Take care.
Dr. Rockoff
