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jay wrote:
> I have a lot of moles (hundreds, maybe over 1000) and I have light skin, but
> avoid sunlight and use sunscreen. I'm just wondering what the goal should
> be with regard to a doctor's decision to remove any of my moles. I want to
> verify that a dermatologist should REALLY be removing moles that aren't
> actually suspected of currently being actual cancer. If a dermatologist
> should really be removing moles not suspected of currently being actual
> cancer, then under what circumstances should a mole removed?
Where I come from (Canada) they remove them if they're suspicious looking, they
remove them if they're troublesome (irritated by clothing and/or bleeding).
Some will remove some that are cosmetically "disfiguring", but they sure won't
remove 100's in our health system.
(unless I suppose someone goes outside our system to a cosmetic surgeon)
> My impression is that dermatologists will remove moles that are suspected of
> being "potential precursors to cancer" without actually currently being
> cancer. Is this a valid precautionary treatment?
>
> Today, for example, a new dermatologist removed 2 of my moles but, based on
> the diagnosis codes he wrote, he suspects them to be "benign neoplasms"
> What I'm getting at here is that it would seem that the doctor does NOT
> suspect they are currently cancer if his opinion as that they are benign.
> Therefore, I assume the removal is strictly for preventative purposes. Is
> removal for preventative purposes a valid treatment or not?
>
> In the past, I have had moles removed that turned out to be "dysplastic
> nevi" otherwise known as "clarks type". No other information was given by
> the lab other than this. I have a few questions about this type of mole:
>
> 1) Has it been conclusively been proven that "dysplastic nevus or Clarks
> type" moles are REALLY precursors to cancer. AND WHAT I MEAN BY THIS IS CAN
> THE MOLES THEMSELVES REALLY DEVELOP INTO CANCER?
>
> 2) If yes to above, then is this a 100% risk that these moles themselves
> will become cancer, or, if not, then what is the risk factor?
>
> 3) Should every mole suspected of being "dysplastic otherwise known as
> clarks" be removed?
Well I found pictures of clark's type
http://www.skinsite.com/info_atypical_moles.htm
If I had those, I'd have them removed and ask for each pathology report and
continue to closely monitor for others.
I don't know that removing moles guarantees no future melanoma (we all live with
risks every day anyway), but perhaps removing the clark's types reduces the
risks of melanoma for that specific location?
Why don't you ask your primary care physician these questions?
J
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