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Arthur J. Sober, MD

JAMA. 1985;253(11):1612-1613.

	Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text PDF and any section headings.

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.¹ Bleeding, 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 . . . [Full Text PDF of this Article]

Author Affiliations
Massachusetts General Hospital Harvard Medical School Boston

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