IV. Treatment of Chicago Moles:

Atypical moles should be removed immediately if they are changing color, shape or size over a period of weeks to months. These moles should also be removed immediately if they bleed or itch. These signs all suggest that an atypical mole may have turned into a melanoma.

The only safe way to remove an atypical mole is to have it cut out. The specimen is then sent to the pathologist to be analyzed under the microscope. Removing an atypical mole leaves a permanent scar.

If an atypical mole looks like it could be an early melanoma, the plastic surgeon will recommend removal as soon as possible. Sometimes the only way to be absolutely sure that an atypical mole is not a melanoma is to have it removed and analyzed.

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