What Is a Congenital Mole?
A congenital mole, also known as a congenital nevus, is a birthmark that appears either at birth or within your child’s first 2-3 years of life. One to two percent of the population are diagnosed with a congenital mole, making these types of moles fairly common. These moles often appear on the limbs or trunk of the body. Most congenital moles do not cause health problems, but some may develop into melanoma over time. This risk increases as the size of the congenital nevus increases.
Do Congenital Moles Grow?
Congenital moles can grow over time and may also change in color, and become raised, bumpy, or hairy. The estimated adult size of the mole can help determine its overall risk.
What Causes a Congenital Mole?
Like all moles, congenital nevi are made of melanocytes, which are the cells that give skin its pigment. An abundance of these cells in one spot causes that patch of skin to be darker than the rest of your skin. What causes this abundance of cell growth is not certain, but is thought to be a genetic mutation. This sporadic mutation develops as the infant grows in the womb, usually between 5 and 24 weeks. The earlier the congenital nevus begins to develop in the womb, the larger the mole is at birth.
Are Congenital Moles Cancerous?
Congenital moles are not cancerous by definition, but large congenital nevi (more than 20cm2) and giant congenital nevi (40cm2 or larger in size) have the highest risk of developing into melanoma. People with large or giant congenital moles have up to a 5% chance of developing melanoma. Congenital moles that are smaller than one’s hand are considered low risk for melanoma.
What Are the Symptoms of a Congenital Mole?
Most of the congenital nevi diagnosed are brown in color, but they can be a range of colors, including reflecting the background color of the skin. Hair protruding from the congenital nevus may also be present or grow over time. The mole is often circular or oval in shape and may be raised. Like any skin growth or mole, if changes occur, speak with your dermatologist about the changes. This could include a change in size or shape, change in color, itching, or bleeding.
Should I Have a Congenital Mole Removed?
While it is usually not necessary to have a congenital mole removed, there are various reasons this may be done. Some moles are removed by request to improve the appearance or improve self-esteem, or because they are in very hard to monitor parts of the body where changes might be difficult to spot early. Surgical removal would also be required if there is any concern the mole could be cancerous.
Small congenital moles can be removed by the dermatologist in the office using local anesthesia. However, if a child is not able to tolerate the procedure awake, the surgery could be done while asleep in the hospital operating room. The large and giant congenital moles can be removed in the hospital by a specialized surgical team, as these require more extensive surgery and sometimes tissue expansion and/or skin grafting. It is important to discuss the risks and benefits of these procedures with your dermatologist, as surgery will result in a permanent scar.
Vujevich Dermatology Associates has trained experts in both pediatric dermatology and congenital mole removal. Our pediatric dermatologist, Dr. Elizabeth J. Froelich, is one of the few pediatric skin specialists in the Pittsburgh area. Our providers also include a number of highly trained and experienced dermatologists and surgeons who can help you identify the appropriate treatment for your congenital mole. Contact us today to schedule an appointment to discuss you or your child’s congenital mole treatment options.