Moles and Skin Cancer in Chicago
Moles, known to doctors as nevi, are common skin lesions that are most often harmless. They can be raised or flat and range in tone from pinkish to brown, black and even blue. Almost everyone has some and it's not unusual to have 40 or more.
With skin cancer cases on the rise, moles get a lot of attention today. People sometimes assume that these collections of skin cells are inherently dangerous. Most are indeed harmless, but they do bear watching. If you're concerned about one that's irregular and "ugly-looking," one that's changing color or shape, or one that's starting to itch, bleed or otherwise bother you, request an appointment with Dr. Lapinski today.
Congenital nevi are those you have at birth. Most doctors believe they are more prone to developing into cancerous moles over the years and will recommend large ones be removed in childhood. Most people develop additional nevi through about age 20, though some people continue to see new ones appear on their skin in later years.
You should keep a watchful eye on any dysplastic, or unusual-looking, nevi you may have. These have characteristics such as irregular border, color variation and asymmetrical shape. They are likely to be considered pre-cancerous and can develop into melanoma. These kinds of nevi tend to be hereditary. If you and your family have them, it's a good idea to set up a routine of regular examinations with Dr. Lapinski.
Many people choose to have nevi removed. You might decide to do this if you have one in a location that's irritated by clothing, or if you have one on your face or another area that's cosmetically undesirable. Some people have nevi removed if they're in a difficult area to monitor for change or if they just don't want to worry about them. Removing these lesions usually just takes a short visit to Dr. Lapinski's office and a local anesthetic.
Dr. Lapinski is a board-certified dermatologist and skin cancer specialist. Email her or call one of her two convenient offices:
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