Mole is a clinical name for a type of common skin growth that may appear on various parts of the body, and they may also be pigmented. The spots that result from a mole are caused by a cluster of pigment forming cells called melanocytes. Typical pigmentation colors are brown, black, light brown, flesh colored or even red, in the case of cherry angiomas. Most moles are harmless but some may need to be checked by a healthcare professional because they have the potential of having skin cancer (melanoma or malignancy) . If there is a suspicionsion of any malignancy, then a dermatologist will perform an excision biopsy to remove the abnormal area. A specialist doctor like a pathologist will then examine the tissue under a microscope and make a diagnosis. There are several types of biopsies including shave biopsies, saucerization, punch biopsy and excisional biopsy. However, in most cases, our physicians will run out any cancer and you can proceed with a standard cosmetic mole removal treatment pathway.
