We all have nevi, more commonly known as moles. While the vast majority of them are perfectly harmless, some can develop into cancerous lesions called melanoma. Given this risk, a legitimate question frequently arises: How to tell if a mole is malignant and what to do In case of doubt?
Learning to observe your skin and knowing the right reflexes can literally save lives. Yaphé Clinic, a leading center for dermatological surgery in Paris, explains the steps to take to protect your health.
The ABCDE rule: Learning to decode your beauty marks
Dermatologists and oncological surgeons have developed a simple self-examination method accessible to everyone. This is the rule ABCDE, which groups together the five visual warning signs indicating that an injury should be examined by a professional:
- A stands for Asymmetry: A benign mole is usually round or oval. If you draw an imaginary line down the middle and the two halves don't match, be careful.
- B for Irregular Edges: The contours of a healthy lesion are clear and regular. Blurred, jagged, notched or "oak leaf" edges are suspicious.
- C for Non-homogeneous Colour: A normal nevus has a uniform color (light or dark brown). The presence of several colors (black, brown, white, red, or blue) within the same spot is a warning sign.
- D for Diameter: Melanomas are often larger than 6 millimeters (about the size of a pencil eraser).
- E for Evolution: This is the most crucial criterion. Any rapid change in size, shape, thickness or color, or the appearance of symptoms (itching, bleeding, scabs) requires a prompt consultation.
Another major indicator is the technique of "Ugly duckling" : if a mole looks like no other on your body, it should attract your attention.
When faced with a doubt, what should you do?
If you notice any of these criteria during your self-monitoring, don't panic, but act methodically.
The first step is to consult a skin specialist as soon as possible. Yaphé ClinicOur practitioners perform a thorough examination using a dermoscope to analyze the deep structures of the lesion.
If the suspicious nature of the mole is confirmed, the next step is surgical excision. This minor procedure, performed under local anesthesia directly at our Paris clinic, involves removing the mole with a safety margin (a small millimeter of healthy skin around it). The specimen is then sent to a laboratory for histopathological analysis. This microscopic examination will definitively determine whether the lesion was benign or malignant.
Excellent support at the Yaphé Clinic
To find out if a mole is malignant and what to do in case of a malignant mole, It is essential to choose a trusted medical team for surgical treatment. The removal of a skin lesion, particularly on visible areas such as the face, neck, or décolletage, requires absolute aesthetic precision.
The surgeons of the Yaphé Clinic They combine advanced skills in skin oncology with a perfect mastery of plastic reconstruction techniques. Their objective is twofold: to guarantee the complete excision of the suspicious lesion to ensure your medical safety, while performing extremely fine sutures so that the residual scar is as discreet and aesthetically pleasing as possible.
Don't let doubt take hold. Annual monitoring or a check-up at the slightest sign of anything suspicious is the best defense against skin diseases. Book an appointment with our team at dermatological-surgery-paris.com.