Study: Fewer Moles May Mean More Aggressive Melanoma

OVERVIEW
People with more than 50 moles have an increased risk of developing melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, but those with fewer than 50 moles should still be alert for this disease. In fact, according to new research presented at the American Academy of Dermatology’s 2015 Summer Academy Meeting in New York, those with fewer moles may be diagnosed with more aggressive melanoma than those with many moles.AMERICAN ACADEMY OF DERMATOLOGY EXPERT
Information provided by board-certified dermatologist Caroline C. Kim, MD, FAAD, director, pigmented lesion clinic, and associate director, cutaneous oncology program, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Department of Dermatology, Harvard Medical School, Boston.RESEARCH
People with more than 50 moles may be more aware of their skin cancer risk and more likely to visit the dermatologist for screenings, Dr. Kim says. In treating advanced-stage melanoma cases, however, she observed that patients with fewer moles tended to have more aggressive melanoma than those with many moles. Read more at AAD.com.