Raised Mole Changed During Pregnancy

[2025jen]

I am very worried and am making an appointment to see a doctor but wanted some information in the meantime.  I have had a mole near the top of my ear for many years.  It was about one half of a pencil eraser size and raised.  Two years ago I saw a doctor who said it was fine and did not remove it.  I noticed during my pregnancy that it was becoming larger (mostly by spreading outward).  Now it is about 1 1/2 times the size of a pencil eraser and has mushroomed out like a cloud.  It is all one color (tan) and has a bumpy, culiflower typr surface with a symetrical and regular border.  No pain bleeding or itching.  Do you think it is cancer?

[2025jen]

Thanks for the inforfmation, it is helpful.

[pandora9049]

hi,
just wanted to say that I experienced the same thing during my last pregnancy.  I had a mole that was the same color as the rest of my skin and during my pregnancy, it got larger and turned like a light brown color.  after the baby was born, it went back to the way it was pre-pregnancy.  so i think pregnancy can have something to do with it.
regards,
Pan

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

No, I don't.  Moles sometimes enlarge during pregnancy (and not during pregnancy too, for that matter.)  The usual reasons for rapid change in moles are mostly not related to cancer.  This is all the more likely, given your description.  ("all one color (tan) . . . with a symmetrical and regular border.")

You are certainly wise to have it looked at, but I'm confident you will not get bad news.  Change should be checked, but most change isn't cancer.

Take care.

Dr. Rockoff