Frequently Asked Questions   /   Types of Cancer

Is a Cancerous Mole Painful?

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Last Modified: August 13, 2012

Question

Are skin cancer moles usually painful?

Answer

Christopher Miller, MD, Dermatologist & Moh's Surgeon at Penn Medicine and Rachel Woods, RN, Nurse for the Surgical Dermatology Program at Penn Medicine respond:

Skin cancer moles are usually not painful, especially in their early stages. Pain can associated with a dangerous mole. However, most early melanomas are not painful. They usually cause no symptoms. Itching, pain, and bleeding of a mole may be associated with dangerous mole. We recommend getting any moles with these symptoms checked out.

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