• Moles and birthmarks


    There are various types of moles and birthmarks that require evaluation on an individual basis. Those requiring a plastic surgeon occur in areas around the face and hands. Also, several types of moles have a possibility of turning into cancer and should be removed. These potentially cancerous moles include sebaceous nevus (also called nevus of Jadassohn) and Spitz nevus (also termed juvenile melanoma).

    Congenital nevi

    Larger moles that can cover up a large part of the body and/or arms and legs are referred to as congenital nevus, and they commonly grow hair. There is a 5 percent to 10 percent chance that larger nevi can change into a melanoma or skin cancer, and excision typically depends on size. Current recommendations call for the removal of nevi that cover more than 10 percent of the body area. Also, smaller or hairy nevi can be located in cosmetically sensitive areas and might require removal as well.

