The Changing Mole

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Abstract
What should be done about a changing mole? Do all changing pigmented lesions need to be removed? More information is available about change in the setting of malignant melanoma than change in benign nevi. Change is a relatively common event in cutaneous melanoma and has been well studied. The frequencies of certain changes have been correlated with the extent of development. Fifty-five percent of early melanoma (≤0.85 mm in thickness) have had an increase in size and 49% have had a change in color noted by the patient before diagnosis.1Bleeding, pain, and ulceration are rarely seen in early melanoma and benign nevi but are significant findings encountered in 63%, 19%, and 50% of advanced primary tumors (≥3.65 mm), respectively. Lesional itching is noted by at least one of four patients with melanoma.1 Changes occurring in benign nevi have not been as well studied. Because only 1% of

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