Can a Mole Return After It Is Removed? (2024)

FAQs

Can a Mole Return After It Is Removed? ›

Mole removal procedures are usually permanent and once a mole has been removed, it will not come back. However, in certain circ*mstances, where the mole has not been completely removed, if it was removed with a surgical shave for example, as there are still mole cells present, the mole could come back.

The only way a mole can return is if a few mole cells still exist in the skin after the mole was removed. Mole cells can cause the mole to regrow on the skin into its original shape and size. Do not assume that mole regrowth is a sign of cancer. Noncancerous moles have the same chance of regrowth as cancerous moles do.

Once a mole is removed, it usually does not come back. If your mole does grow back, it's important to consult with your doctor immediately.

Another issue is if the mole has cancerous cells is that by removing it, you expose and encourage cancer to spread quicker. If a mole is not cancerous, though and you have it removed, that in itself will not cause cancer to develop.

Coming back to the subject of incomplete mole removal, the next problem might originate from is the re-growth of the lesion from the remnant parts, that might be very misleading for dermatologist and pathologist when deciding its nature whether it is malignant or not (Pseudomelanoma).

Any changes to a mole may be a sign of melanoma, a type of skin cancer. Although a mole disappearing may not be cause for concern, you should see your doctor if the mole in question had any irregularity before it faded. This includes: changes in appearance.

Intradermal nevus

Intradermal naevi can appear spontaneously or develop on top of existing moles. They usually appear from late childhood onwards and can develop anytime during adulthood. These types of moles are common and usually benign.

A common mole that is completely removed by a professional will often not grow back. However, some patients might experience a regrowth of moles if mole cells are left behind. This doesn't mean that the mole is cancerous.

“You could have melanoma for a long time before you realize it, because some types are not so obvious. Some aggressive forms, like nodular melanoma, grow fast, are visible and can hurt or bleed.” While certain groups may be at a higher risk for melanoma, anyone can get the disease.

Mole removal procedures are usually permanent and once a mole has been removed, it will not come back. However, in certain circ*mstances, where the mole has not been completely removed, if it was removed with a surgical shave for example, as there are still mole cells present, the mole could come back.

Is there a downside to removing moles? ›

Having a mole removed is a simple, low-risk procedure. One negative effect is the procedure may leave a small scar. “That's one of the biggest downsides to mole removal,” George says.

Skin cancer diagnosis always requires a skin biopsy

The procedure that your dermatologist uses to remove the spot is called a skin biopsy. Having a skin biopsy is essential. It's the only way to know whether you have skin cancer. There's no other way to know for sure.

Melanoma can grow very quickly. It can become life-threatening in as little as 6 weeks and, if untreated, it can spread to other parts of the body. Melanoma can appear on skin not normally exposed to the sun. Nodular melanoma is a highly dangerous form of melanoma that looks different from common melanomas.

A mole can come back after removal, usually if some mole tissue is left in place during the mole removal procedure. This can occur for various reasons, such as insufficient treatment depth or duration.

What percentage can we expect? A study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology suggests around 7% of suspicious mole removal is cancerous. This number drops when accounting for all moles removed, as most are benign (non-cancerous).

Castor oil also doesn't taste or smell good to moles, so it can also have an effect on your yard if moles are already living in there, though it works best if applied as a repellent prior to any start of activity. Castor oil disrupts moles' and gophers' digestive tracts and makes your yard less appealing to them.

A mole can appear anywhere on your body, and new moles can appear into your 40s. Most moles are harmless and don't change, but others may grow, change shape, or change color.

Generally, after a patient receives positive melanoma results, his or her doctors will need to proceed with staging the malignancy— which essentially means determining the extent of the cancer—and developing a treatment plan based on how far the cancer has progressed.

Scratching a mole does not lead to skin cancer or any other abnormality. It can result in bleeding and infection, microscopic injuries, or an outright wound, depending on how hard it has been scratched. There is no evidence that a person develops cancer from scratching a mole.