Are moles that grow huge as grapes dangerous?

In a recent episode of Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho, we are introduced to Angelynn, a woman from Calinog, Iloilo, living with huge moles on her right armpit and lower breasts. 

According to Angelynn, her moles grew in size as she got older, spreading from her armpit to her lower breasts. 

"Sabi ng mama ko, parang kasinglaki lang ito ng monggo. Pero nang lumaki na ako, lumalaki na rin ito hanggang sa palibot ng dibdib ko at umabot na sa baba ng suso ko," Angelynn narrated.

She didn't have them removed because according to a witch doctor, her moles will bring her luck.

Then they started to badly affect her life.

On cold days, her moles would ache. She would clean them using detergent soap, spreading detergent powder onto her armpit to get rid of the pain.

Whenever she gets sweaty, her armpit would get bruised. Sometimes, it would also bleed.

But it's not just physical suffering. Angelynn is getting a lot of emotional distress from the stares she receives. People keep looking at her because of her moles. 

Although Angelyn has intentions to have them checked, her monthly income of P3,000 is preventing her from doing so. 

According to Dermatologist Dr. Marovi Ascalon-Celis, Angelynn's moles are actually called the Epidermal Nevus. It's a "development congenital abnormality, pero kusus ang tawag dun. Mukhang siyang wart kaya napagkamalan ito na malaking kulugo."

They are not cancerous, and they can still be removed — by laser treatment for small and flat ones and excision for the bigger ones.

Dr. Ascalon-Celis said mole cells are deep down the skin so it's possible that they might recur, but since it's on the upper dermis, there's a "very good chance" it might not recur.

Meanwhile, she advised Angelynn not to use detergent soap to clean the moles. Detergents have a higher pH. They are also harsher on the skin.

"I will advise the patient to use mild soap instead" she said.

According to KMJS, Angelynn still has to go through laboratory tests before proceeding with excision for the bigger moles. — Jannielyn Ann Bigtas/LA, GMA News