I just have a quick question about a mole..?!
Question: How can a doc tell if it is cancerous? and can they do it without cutting the mole off? ok thanks!
Answers: How can a doc tell if it is cancerous? and can they do it without cutting the mole off? ok thanks!
First then can look at it and determine if it is something to even bother with. If it is odd in any way (check the ABCD of moles) they can do a biopsy without totally removing it. I had that done once, but they still have to stitch you up even after that. Honestly, removing a mole is not scary at all. They have two different methods (shaving and punching) and you don't feel a thing. My only complaint is the scar, but I got one from the biopsy also. I always feel, better safe then sorry.
Sometimes the Dr. can tell by just looking but he will have to take a scraping and send to lab to be certain.
It must be biopsied (shave or punch etc) by your dermatologist preferably. They will send it to the pathology lab to be viewed under a microscope and classified based on histology. Hope that helps :)
Looking at it will give the doctor a good idea if it's benign or not. If it has changed shape or color or if it bleeds an exam is in order. If it's small and perfectly round, don't worry. Check out pictures of moles from dermatology sites and compare.