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Definition

By Mayo Clinic staff

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Photograph showing moles
Moles

Moles, known medically as nevi, are clusters of pigmented cells that often appear as small, dark brown spots. However, moles can come in a range of colors and can develop virtually anywhere on your body.

Most moles are harmless, but in rare cases, moles may become cancerous. Monitoring moles and other pigmented patches is an important step in detecting skin cancer, especially malignant melanoma. Not all melanomas develop from pre-existing moles, but many begin in or near a mole or other dark spot on the skin.

References
  1. Moles. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/print/sec10/ch127/ch127g.html. Accessed Sept. 4, 2009.
  2. What you need to know about moles and dysplastic nevi. National Cancer Institute. http://www.nci.nih.gov/cancertopics/wyntk/moles-and-dysplastic-nevi/allpages/print. Accessed Sept. 4, 2009.
  3. Abbasi NR, et al. Early diagnosis of cutaneous melanoma: Revisiting the ABCD criteria. Journal of the American Medical Association. 2004:292;2771.
  4. Moles. American Academy of Dermatology. http://www.aad.org/public/publications/pamphlets/common_moles.html. Accessed Sept. 4, 2009.
  5. Grichnik JM, et al. Benign neoplasias and hyperplasias of melanocytes. In: Wolff K, et al. Fitzpatrick's Dermatology in General Medicine. 7th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill Medical; 2008. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=2982281. Accessed Sept. 4, 2009.
  6. Prevention guidelines. The Skin Cancer Foundation. http://www.skincancer.org/prevention-guidelines.html. Accessed Sept. 5, 2009.

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Dec. 5, 2009

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