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Mole excision

We have selected the following expert medical opinion based on its clarity, reliability and accuracy. Credits: edited by MedSquirrel (see below). Please refer to your own medical practitioner for a final perspective, assessment or evaluation.

What is a mole?

A mole (known as a melanocytic naevus in medical terms) is a coloured spot on the skin that develops when pigment cells (melanocytes) grow in clusters. Many adults have between 10 and 40 moles scattered on their bodies. Some moles may be present at birth, but most appear later in childhood and during teenage years.

What is mole excision?

Excision removal of a mole is a procedure where your doctor surgically removes or cuts out a mole under local anaesthetic. This is just one of the ways in which a mole can be removed, your doctor will recommend the best method for removing yours.

Who needs a mole excision?

Some people wish to have moles removed because they simply don’t like the look of them. Most of the time though, moles are removed because they have become bothersome, causing symptoms like itching or bleeding. These symptoms and certain other features of moles may cause a doctor to be concerned that the mole may be undergoing cancerous changes. This is the most likely reason that your doctor would recommend that your mole is excised.

Things to consider before your appointment

• Mole excision can take a little longer than an average doctor’s appointment, so leave yourself enough time
• Depending on where on your body the mole is, you might find it difficult to do certain things after the procedure
• If you have one suspicious mole that needs excising, ask your doctor to check other moles for signs of cancerous change

What happens during a mole excision?

• Your doctor will examine your mole(s).
• The procedure is done as a sterile technique, and your doctor will spend some time getting the equipment set up in a way that minimises the chance of your wound becoming infected.
• Your doctor will inject a little local anaesthetic to the area and after a while check if it has been effective.
• Using a scalpel your doctor will make a neat incision around the mole, being careful to remove just enough tissue around and beneath the mole.
• The specimen will either be discarded or placed into a specimen bottle to be sent to the laboratory for examination under a microscope.
• Your doctor will then suture the wound with usually just a few stitches
• some antiseptic ointment and a dressing will be applied, and a follow up appointment will be booked.

What does a mole excision feel like?

The most uncomfortable part of the procedure is when the doctor injects the local anaesthetic around the mole. This could burn slightly or be mildly painful. Once the anaesthetic starts to work, you will no longer feel pain, only some strange pulling sensations.

What will happen after a mole excision?

Your doctor will give you instruction on how to look after the wound. Usually, there will be a transparent dressing over the wound and you will be able to see the stitches underneath. You will notice a little blood but if the wound is bleeding so much that the dressing is lifting, or the blood is oozing out the sides, contact your doctor.

The wound should remain covered for 3-5 days as it will be tender and needs to be protected. After a few days healing will have started, and it is safe to remove the dressing. You can clean the area gently and either leave the area uncovered or apply a new dressing (especially if you are concerned the wound could be vulnerable to injury).

After 7 to 10 days you will have a follow up appointment with your doctor. You will get your laboratory results and if there were any concerning findings your doctor will discuss further treatment options with you. The stitches will be removed, and no further dressings will be required.

The area will be more sensitive to sunlight than the surrounding skin, and it is advisable to use a strong sunscreen on the area for six months. You can apply a little tissue oil to the area to minimise scarring.

There is a very small chance that your mole could grow back after having it excised, as a few mole cells may remain in the skin. If this happens you will need to return to your doctor.

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