Understanding Mole Excision

Why mole excision is done

Your health care provider may do a mole excision for:

• Part or all of a suspicious mole to check it for cancer.

• A mole that is constantly rubbed by clothing or irritated in other ways to help make you more comfortable.

• A mole that is large or on a visible body part if you don't like how it looks.

How mole excision is done

Removing a mole is often done in the health care provider’s office. You stay awake for it and go home the same day.

• The area is cleaned. A tiny needle is then used to inject a numbing medicine into the skin around the mole.

• The provider cuts out the mole. An edge or margin of healthy tissue around the mole may also be removed to make sure no precancer or cancer cells are left behind.

• If needed, the incision may be closed with stitches or staples.

In most cases, the removed mole is sent to a lab for testing. Your provider will let you know if cancer cells are found.

If the mole comes back after it was removed, see a dermatologist right away. This could be a sign of a dangerous skin cancer called melanoma.

Risks of mole excision

• Scarring or keloid (too much scar tissue forms).

• Swelling and bruising.

• Infection.

• Pain.

• Incomplete removal of the mole. This means more surgery may be needed or the mole might come back.

• Damage to nearby nerves.

Most of these risks can be managed and get better over time, but some can be long lasting. Talk with your health care provider so you know what to expect.

Preventing skin cancer

To help protect yourself from skin cancer:

• Check your skin regularly for changes in your moles and for new moles.

• See your health care provider if you have a mole that bleeds, itches, or changes in size, color, or shape.

• If you have many moles or have a family history of skin cancer, have moles checked by your provider at least once a year.

• Stay out of the sun from 10 am to 4 pm. This is when the UV rays are the strongest. Try to stay in shaded areas.

• Use clothing, such as long-sleeved shirts and long pants, to protect your skin from the sun. Some clothing has UPF (UV-protection factor) that provides more protection.

• Use sunscreen that is SPF 15 or higher to protect your skin from the sun. Make sure the sunscreen has broad spectrum protection. This protects against both UVA and UVB rays.

• Wear a wide brim hat and wraparound sunglasses when in the sun to protect your neck, scalp, face, eyes, and ears.

• Never use tanning beds or lamps.