Skin Moles

The vast majority of acquired skin moles require no treatment. Indications for removal of benign-appearing moles may include cosmetic concerns or continual irritation that could be mistaken for a changing mole. Moles with cancerous features need to be excised. A photographic medical record can play a critical role in identifying changes that might not have been detected otherwise. Complete removal of skin moles is best accomplished by elliptical excision. Leaving a partially excised mole, regardless of the initial pathology, is fraught with potentially alarming consequences of repigmentation and/or regrowth (pseudomelanoma). Incisional biopsy, even for melanoma, is necessary at times, particularly for moles that cannot be excised easily and that require histopathologic diagnosis.
Destructive modes of removal (electrodesiccation, cryotherapy, dermabrasion, and laser) should be considered very carefully if used in the treatment of skin moles. They have the definite disadvantage of not providing tissue for histopathology.
Although dermabrasion has been used to eliminate pigmentation of skin moles, residual nevus cells in the dermis are to be expected, cosmetic outcome is often unpredictable, and recurrence with susceptible features may complicate future management.
Laser treatment of skin moles has the theoretical risk of cancerous change, but there is no proof for this.