Moles

[Guest]

My son recently seen diagnosed after a lab biopsy of having a spitz mole. Now y have referred him to a pediatric plastic surgeon re-excision. Do think is necessary? My concern since it shaved off a few weeks ago, it is finally healed. mole located on upper part of ear. He is 4 years old 's I'm so concerned about him being put to sleep to have reexcision. His dermatologists said is very important because although benign now, as an adult it could come back be cancerous. Is right? Thanks.

[Guest]

In my opinion a Spitz mole is always benign and stays benign. It does not transform into a cancer, unless it was a cancer from the start. In my practice I do not necessarily have the Spitz nevus cut out further. If it comes back and is growing and bothersome then I might reexcise. In your son's case, if he were my patient, I would leave it alone. You can follow it and see what happens. This is what I have done and it has never created a problem. To me, the risks of general anesthesia and the emotional trauma to him do not justify the removal of a benign growth that does not bother either you or him. The decision is ultimately yours.

[kari schramm]

MY 4 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER JUST HAD A SPITZ MOLE REMOVED. FIRST WE TOOK HER TO HER PEDIATRICTION AND SHE SAID THAT SHE WOULD SEND US TO A DERMATOLOGISTS. WE WENT AND HE SAID THAT HE WOULD REMOVE IT RIGHT AWAY. I DID NOT WANT THEM TO PUT HER A SLEEP. SO BOTH DOCTORS TALKED AND THEY DECIDED TO GIVE HER TYONEL WITH CODEIN. THE TYONEL HELPED CALM HER DOWN AND I COULD BE THERE WITH HER. JUST THOUGHT I WOULD LET YOU KNOW SO THAT YOU CAN ASK IF THEY WOULD DO THE SAME THING.