1) flat moles with bigger diameter than pencil eraser that have uneven color, irregular shapes, notched or scalloped borders, scaly surface, new sensations like itchiness can rise suspicion for cancerous growth. Flat moles are exceeded (cutting away) with excision biopsy (the full thickness of the skin is removed and the wound is stitched).

2) the color is not a concern (normal mole can be black and same person can have differently colored moles), but, the appearance of a newly formed mole after 40 years always seeks medical attention.

3) blue moles are mostly benign, but, need to be checked by experienced dermatologist.

4) raised, pearly nodule can be a basilar cell cancer; moles that are raised can be either cancerous or just normal moles.

Does the pearly nodule crust, ulcerate and sometimes bleed?

Thank you MandMs for your reply.
No the pearly ball mole does not bleed or ulcerate. Does that mean it`s safe?
Also if there are several suspicious looking moles, will only one mole be cut out or will all of them be cut out? Cutting out the skin sounds very gross and painful!
Finally one mole is heart shaped which means it`s not round shaped but the 2 halves match so would that be considered symetrical or asymetrical?
Thank you again for your reply. I`m trying to decide if I should push for my husband to get a skin cancer exam or not.

You are welcome!

Does the pearly lump has depression in the middle, or have blue or black areas?

All moles that will be eventually find suspicious will be first examined with dermascope (instrument that magnifies the lesion), biopsied and than cut off.

The level of experienced pain depends on technique that will be used, the size of mole and the patients pain threshold.

Most often, the patient only requires local anesthetic to have the mole removed. In some cases, light to heavy sedation is also required to help the patient relax. If the mole is suspected to take a long time to remove, or if it may be difficult to remove, the patient is then put under general anesthetic (put to sleep). Most often, anesthetic is not required during laser treatments as there is usually no pain involved. A patient using laser surgery can expect to feel only a mild tingling sensation during the procedure.

There should be very little or no pain during any of the procedures themselves.

Thank you again for the reply. I think I will try and convince my husband to have his moles checked out. My family has a history of skin cancer so moles sort of make me nervous, but my husband`s family has no history of skin cancer so I don`t know if I`m being overly cautious when I see a mole on him, and at the same time I know moles are just like a freckle to him since he has never given them any thought. Anyway, I feel a little silly asking him to have his moles checked but my mind will not be at ease until it`s done so hopefully he will agree and I`ll leave him alone after that.

You are welcome!

Every person should have monthly mole self-exam and exam by his/her dermatologist every 3 years starting at age of 20.
If the person is older than forty, the dermatologist's visits should be performed every year.

Best wishes for you and your husband!
Marija