Melanotic spots are usually benign but can be concerning if they change in color, shape, or texture. They can appear on the lips or genitals and have various causes. A dermatologist can evaluate them, and if necessary, a biopsy can determine if they are cancerous. Removal may cause scarring.
A melanotic spot is a small, dark spot that is usually benign, but can be a cause for concern if it changes in color, shape, or texture. These spots usually appear on the lips or genitals and can have a variety of causes. A dermatologist can evaluate a melanotic spot to determine if it poses any health risks to the patient. Patients who don’t like the look of the spot can discuss options for minimizing it.
Some people are born with melanotic macules or appear in early childhood. This is especially common in darker skinned people. Others may develop them in response to environmental stressors such as smoking, persistent sun exposure, or medications known to cause skin spots and darkening. Sometimes, the spot is an indicator of an underlying medical condition such as Addison’s disease.
The melanotic macula should be small, flat, and darker than the surrounding tissue. If it appears suddenly, changes size, or starts to roughen, it could be malignant. A doctor can examine the spot and rule out possible causes to determine if a biopsy is needed. If the patient is taking a drug known to cause hyperpigmentation, for example, the macule probably isn’t malignant and is simply a response to the drugs.
In case a doctor has concerns about a melanotic macula, they may take a small scraping or other sample and send it to a pathologist. The pathologist will examine the sample under a microscope to determine what types of cells are present. He’ll look for signs of abnormal cells and can determine whether the spot is cancerous or precancerous. Your doctor may recommend removal to be safe, as some lesions can become malignant over time.
Removing a melanotic spot can create a small depression or scar in the tissue. If the lesion is particularly large or irregularly shaped, this may be evident. In other patients, the tissue will heal well and may leave little or no signs of the injury. After removal, patients with a history of such lesions may wish to discuss them with a doctor, as this may impact how the doctor evaluates new lesions.
Many melanotic macules are small and light enough to be invisible under makeup and may not attract much attention. If the patient is bothered by the spot, he can discuss removal options with the doctor. Your doctor may advise against a purely cosmetic removal procedure due to scarring concerns.
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