Your Child Developed A Mole: How To Know If It Is Cancer
Posted on: 29 July 2016
If your child has seemingly developed a mole out of nowhere on their skin, you might be worried that it's cancerous. Skin cancer or melanoma is a dangerous condition, which means you need to get a plastic surgeon or other cosmetic surgeon to remove the mole and learn more about it.
Signs Of Melanoma Moles
Moles appearing in childhood aren't uncommon, but when they develop, they should be an even color (typically brown, tan, or black) and less than about a quarter of an inch wide. If the mole stays the same size and shape, then there isn't anything to worry about. However, if it starts to change size and shape, you may have a problem.
Moles that may have developed into melanoma are those that are asymmetrical, with various colors, jagged and irregular edges, and a size over a quarter of an inch. Any bleeding, scaling, or bruising around the mole may also be signs of melanoma.
Why A Plastic Surgeon Can Help
If you're worried that your child's mole may be cancerous, you can take them to a plastic surgeon and have them remove the mole. This process is an in-patient procedure that typically takes no more than half an hour or so. It is typically used with lasers and is nearly painless, making it easier for your children to handle.
Some skin around the mole will also be carefully removed and be sent to a doctor for a cancer biopsy. A plastic surgeon can also repair the scarring that may occur after the surgery to help your child heal more fully after this surgery.
What Happens After
After the mole has been removed and tested for cancer, a few things can happen. If the mole wasn't cancerous at all, then your child is safe. However, if there were signs of any melanoma, more tissue may have to be removed either by a plastic surgeon or another surgical expert.
The idea here is to check the lymph node near the removed mole for any signs of cancer. Treatment will be undertaken if necessary, with a plastic surgeon fixing the damage caused by the surgery. The processes used will vary depending on various factors, such as the location on the skin and how deep the surgeons needed to cut.
This can be a difficult procedure for many families and may end up costing your child several layers of skin. Thankfully, a plastic surgeon can help repair this damage after their cancer treatment to avoid lifelong scarring or permanent changes. For more information, contact professionals like Shriners Hospitals for Children – Cincinnati.
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