Do dark spots on moles indicate the presence of melanoma?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am very concerned about my husband. We are recently married; he is 23 years old and either 6 feet 2 inches or 6 feet 3 inches tall, he is quite thin (I am not sure of his exact weight). A couple of weeks ago, I noticed two moles on him that have raised my concerns. We have scheduled a consultation, but it is a month away.

Description of the moles is one mole is larger; it is located on his back and is about the size of a pencil eraser. It has a slightly uneven but mostly round shape, with a dark dot or spot on one side. It appears to be skin-colored or slightly reddish, resembling a mole with a freckle on it. The other mole is much smaller and is on his neck. It is flush with the skin and could be mistaken for a large, light freckle, but it also has a darker dot or patch on one side.

I have done some research online and have inadvertently scared myself quite a bit. Could you please provide some feedback? How concerning does this sound? The information I found online mainly discusses centered black dots on moles, which seems similar to what he has, albeit not centered.

People have associated this with melanoma, and I am unable to find any information about dark dots on moles beyond that. Is it automatically a bad sign? Could I have missed something?

Please help.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I have read your query and understand your concern.

Based on your descriptions, the larger mole, which is round and about the size of a pencil eraser, could be a keloid (raised, thickened scar tissue that forms at the site of an injury) or a melanocytic nevus (it is a benign growth on the skin that results). The smaller mole on the neck may be an acrochordon ( it is a small, harmless, and usually painless flap of skin).

It is important to note that melanoma typically appears on photo-exposed areas, so try not to worry unnecessarily. To ensure a thorough evaluation and the best possible treatment for your husband's concerns, I suggest getting a review with pictures focused on the described moles.

This will aid in a more accurate assessment and help determine the appropriate action. Please try not to distress yourself and seek professional advice for a proper diagnosis.

I hope this helps.

Please feel free to ask if you have any further questions.

Thank you.