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New mole between toes

The_Berry
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I'm feeling a bit worried because a new mole has popped up in an odd location - between my toes.

I'm 32 and have had mole mapping in the past because I'm considered quite high risk for melanoma - I have over 100 moles on my body, some are quite large, and I have pale, freckled skin. I had my genome sequenced and sure enough it showed I have a propensity to be mole-y, and I also have the red hair gene.

Anyway, I've tried to be careful checking my skin since then.

Now, this brand new lesion has appeared. It's barely 2mm at the moment (though of course that's how all melanomas start) and doesn't really look suspicious, apart from being pretty dark, but the fact that it's brand new, and between my toes, AND that I'm high risk has definitely rattled me.

Anyway, I'm speaking to the doctor on Thursday.

Just wondering if anyone had any similar experiences? I'm hoping if it's melanoma I've caught it pretty early.

  • Offline

    Hi,

    It's not unusual for new moles to appear up to age 40 - those after 40 are treated a little more suspiciously. However, because you have previously had mole mapping etc and because the mole is between your toes, I would certainly ask for it to be checked out. There is a very good chance it will be fine but for your peace of mind it needs checking. 75% of patients seen by dermatology get a clean bill of health whilst 20% are dysplastic moles & 5% melanoma. It may be, because you have a lot of moles, you are more prone to dysplastic (atypical) moles. If it does tunr out to be melanoma you have certainly caught it quickly so it should be easily treated with surgery. I've had 7 moles removed, the first was melanoma & the rest were benign so it typifies the odds!

    Good luck and please let us know how you get on,

    Angie (Stage 3 melanoma patient since 2009)

  • Offline in reply to AngieT

    Hi Angie,

    Thanks for your response. I hope everything is going well with you.

    I had the mole checked by the senior nurse today, and she says it looks ok under the dermatoscope (not too dark). She said to monitor it for the next month and see if it grows. If it doesn't, it's fine. If it does, she'll refer me urgently.

    I'm still a bit worried because I think it's so random that it just appeared, and in such a strange place, and to me it looks ways darker than my other moles. Especially when I have every risk factor going, aside from a family history.

    But at least it doesn't look absolutely horrible under the dermatoscope or anything.

    Hopefully it will be fine :)

    I'll update again when I know more.

  • Offline in reply to The_Berry

    Hi,

    I'm glad you got it checked out. Don't worry about the colour - I have a couple of very dark moles that appeared in my 40's - they were checked out & are fine. It may be that benign moles that appear later in adulthood present a darker colour. 

    If you are going to worry through the next month perhaps take a photo of the mole today and then every week and you can then monitor it for any change.

    Good luck,

    Angie

  • Offline in reply to AngieT

    Thanks Angie. Yes, I'll take photos with a ruler and save them in a folder for comparison. I've done that for one week already, and it looks the same (but obviously wouldn't expect any changes in a week). It's only about 1 or 1.5 mm so really small.

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