doctor said mole is ok 'for now'?!

[frannie72]

I have a splotchy brown mark on my forearm, it has irregular borders, is completely flat and is 5 mm at its widest.  It's relatively new, I think it has been there for the last two years and it has grown to its present size and shape but hasn't gotten any biggger in the last 6 months or so.  

I have seen two dermatologists about it for it in the last two years, at least 5 visits total and they both have told me that basically it's an area to watch but there's nothing to do about it now. What is that supposed to mean?!  If they think it may someday be a melanoma, then why not take it off and biopsy it now?  I finally insisted with one dermatologist to take it off and will go sometime this month.

My question is-why delay if there is even a hint of suspicion?  Isn't it enough that it's a new blemish and has irregular borders?  One of the doctors said, it's not black or multi colored, it's not big, etc. But I have read that not all melanomas present in a standard way.

I have a couple of other areas that are questionable (at least to me) and again the doctors were not concerned.  

I am 35, female with freckly pale skin, brown hair and light eyes, and with Irish heritage.

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

My own preference is not to tell a patient to "watch" something, for exactly the reason you give: what is there to watch for, ad why wait until it's already a problem?  At the very least that's a formula for anxiety.  So I'm glad you're having it taken off, even though I'm very confident you won't find anything bad--the dermatologists you saw first surely weren't concerned or else they would have biopsied or removed it immediately.

Not to worry.  Just get regular checks and you should be fine.

Dr. Rockoff

[frannie72]

Thank you for your response. I do get regular checks, every six months, once in the U.S. and once in the country in which I live now.

I had another question-is what I have a mole or not? Neither doctor has actually called it a mole.  It is absolutely flat-can moles be so flat?  It also is the same texture as my skin, it doesn't feel like my other moles.  So could it be something else, like sun damage or something?  If it were smaller and lighter in color it would look like some of my larger freckles.

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

Moles can be flat, as can lentigines (sun freckles.)  Ask your doctor what they are.

Dr. Rockoff

[Yuli]

Hi , I accidentally cut one of my moles and put a band aid on it. Now it appears irritated and changed its color from pink to more like purple color and it also hurts, so I can hardly stand my shirt.

What to do ?

Thanks!