# mole burned off with a cigarette **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 20, 2014, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mole-burned-off-with-a-cigarette/705117 "2014-11-20T00:22:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Henryunderborn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/58f4c7/32.png) [@Henryunderborn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Henryunderborn)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2014, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mole-burned-off-with-a-cigarette/705117/1 "2014-11-20T00:22:21Z")
If you had a mole for 26 years that was flush with your forehead, then incidentally got burned off with a cigarette; would the affects of cancer still be set in, whether or not it had developed to that stage or not? Is there a chance, if cancer had not developed, the root of cancer is unable to proceed? ---
**Author:** ![psychobunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/54ee81/32.png) [@psychobunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychobunny)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2014, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mole-burned-off-with-a-cigarette/705117/2 "2014-11-20T04:30:52Z")
It depends on whether you destroyed all of the cancer cells. In short, cancer can certainly still develop even if all visible signs of a mole have been removed, even by a competent dermatologist. I have seen it, diagnosed it and buried the patient. ---
**Author:** ![Isilder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/cc9497/32.png) [@Isilder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isilder)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2014, 11:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mole-burned-off-with-a-cigarette/705117/3 "2014-11-20T11:17:42Z")
> [@Henryunderborn](#): > > If you had a mole for 26 years that was flush with your forehead, then incidentally got burned off with a cigarette; would the affects of cancer still be set in, whether or not it had developed to that stage or not? Taking off the surface probably won’t reduce your chance of cancer, in fact you are increasing the chance of it turning to cancer… The repair of the burnt patch may be done by very fast cell division… which can result in the genetic changes that tend toward cancer… Less normal skin to protect it from UV and oxidization… the damage to the barrier between normal and abnormal cells may increase the chance of cancer. ---
**Author:** ![DrFidelius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drfidelius/32/3447_2.png) [@DrFidelius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrFidelius)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2014, 12:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mole-burned-off-with-a-cigarette/705117/4 "2014-11-20T12:09:38Z")
If it was cancerous or pre-cancerous, you did not get clean margins with your DIY lesion removal. See a dermatologist. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2014, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mole-burned-off-with-a-cigarette/705117/5 "2014-11-20T13:59:00Z")
Moles are benign. Trauma may make them look funny and be harder to diagnose on a biopsy, but it’s highly unlikely to spur malignant behavior. Some uninformed people think it’s a good idea to burn off pigmented skin lesions - not with cigarettes, but with caustic salves (typically containing bloodroot) they buy over the Internet. The problem with this is 1) these salves are touted to only harm abnormal tissue, but actually burn away all tissue indiscriminately. They can and have caused severe disfigurement and scarring (google Quackwatch and bloodroot if you have a strong stomach). 2) worse, with caustic salves or other mechanical means of removal, you have no idea if you’ve eliminated all the microscopic extensions of tumor. Thus, it can regrow and/or metastasize (there are documented cases). > **[Cutting, poisoning, and burning naturally | ScienceBlogs](https://scienceblogs.com/insolence/2013/05/29/cutting-poisoning-and-burning-naturally)** > > Not too long ago, a reader asked me about black salve, and then not too long later I saw a commenter mention black salve. It occurs to me that, in all the years I've been doing this blog and my other blog, I don't think I've ever actually written... ---
**Author:** ![Henryunderborn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/58f4c7/32.png) [@Henryunderborn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Henryunderborn)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2014, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mole-burned-off-with-a-cigarette/705117/6 "2014-11-20T14:29:21Z")
Well, i lived with this dot on my forehead for all my social upbringing. Not so much quazimoto, but gard damned, itchy and scratchy. So… you know… to a whim, of a fit on this, and a tip of that… I said, F it, if I am going to have this dot, by dam natural damnation. I will put it to my own determination, and have it be a worsened darker and grizzled thing. Only… it burned clean off… so I had to go get, you know, all scientific health realated. Rather than, jean jacket cut off, biker rebel, about it. I am beautiful again ---
**Author:** ![Count\_Blucher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Count\_Blucher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Count_Blucher)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2014, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mole-burned-off-with-a-cigarette/705117/7 "2014-11-20T14:35:03Z")
> [@Henryunderborn](#): > > If you had a mole for 26 years that was flush with your forehead, then incidentally got burned off with a cigarette; would the affects of cancer still be set in, whether or not it had developed to that stage or not? I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but there is no clinical evidence that I am aware of leading to the conclusion that tobacco can cure cancer, even when on fire. It might singe it a bit… ---
**Author:** ![robert\_columbia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e79b87/32.png) [@robert\_columbia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robert_columbia)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2014, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mole-burned-off-with-a-cigarette/705117/8 "2014-11-20T15:17:54Z")
If you were smoking, I’d say it was a wash at best. Afaik lung cancer typically has a significantly worse prognosis than skin cancer. ---
**Author:** ![Henryunderborn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/58f4c7/32.png) [@Henryunderborn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Henryunderborn)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2014, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mole-burned-off-with-a-cigarette/705117/9 "2014-11-20T15:44:57Z")
the tone towards cancer, is an entire after thought. whether it was burnt off or not. my life would be spent wondering the cancer composition of these moles, without any real concern. This specific guy, he was sort of my Stimpy, to my Ren? (one of those). So i am merely wondering, since he has always been a doo doo stain for me. If now with his absence, he might still be the death of me. you know? Namesde ---
**Author:** ![Count\_Blucher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Count\_Blucher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Count_Blucher)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2014, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mole-burned-off-with-a-cigarette/705117/10 "2014-11-20T16:00:54Z")
> [@Henryunderborn](#): > > my life would be spent wondering the cancer composition of these moles, without any real concern. Yes, but now your afternoon will be spent inhaling the fragrance of your burnt flesh. By the way, which works best with the smokey-scent of your own skin? Original or Menthol? ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2014, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mole-burned-off-with-a-cigarette/705117/11 "2014-11-20T16:30:06Z")
> [@Henryunderborn](#): > > Well, i lived with this dot on my forehead for all my social upbringing. Not so much quazimoto, but gard damned, itchy and scratchy. So… you know… to a whim, of a fit on this, and a tip of that… I said, F it, if I am going to have this dot, by dam natural damnation. I will put it to my own determination, and have it be a worsened darker and grizzled thing. Only… it burned clean off… so I had to go get, you know, all scientific health realated. Rather than, jean jacket cut off, biker rebel, about it. > > I am beautiful again It’s like William Shakespeare and Jack Kerouac had a baby, and that baby was trying to write. I recommend throwing some Hunter S. Thompson in the mix next time as well. Stranger ---
**Author:** ![Henryunderborn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/58f4c7/32.png) [@Henryunderborn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Henryunderborn)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2014, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mole-burned-off-with-a-cigarette/705117/12 "2014-11-20T16:30:26Z")
I think it was the Smooth Rich and Mellow of a Marlboro 27. Which… coincidentally, I believe holds some, deliberate properties, associated with my old friend. I am afraid we would have to enter into some alternate dimension, transport ship, like that of Dennis Quaid and Martin Short. To get to the bottom of that, though. ---
**Author:** ![Dustin\_the\_Wind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f1d935/32.png) [@Dustin\_the\_Wind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dustin_the_Wind)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2014, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mole-burned-off-with-a-cigarette/705117/13 "2014-11-20T18:55:40Z")
Your posts are rather nonsensical. But to address your question - three years ago I had a melanoma removed. Not the same as mole, I understand, but they had to dig down to the muscle (this was on my upper arm). But they weren’t done. They also removed two lymph nodes to ensure that it hadn’t spread. So, I wouldn’t be able to sleep at night if I didn’t get it checked out. I suggest you do that. ---
**Author:** ![Henryunderborn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/58f4c7/32.png) [@Henryunderborn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Henryunderborn)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2014, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mole-burned-off-with-a-cigarette/705117/14 "2014-12-07T22:50:40Z")
My posts are only non sensical, because the conspiracy of all man kinds obligated, underground cooperation, for conscience development, has run hand and hand with my sexual growth, from first grade. I have been displaced of all active relevance, exact to the incorporation of man, to any given particpation, to life’s exchange. derr…wer… go take your meds. people say. I say, tell me the fact, the basis, the reasoning, of all granted contact to my life for 20 years, for it is in that exact correlation you are present, with one another, across this great planet. To that exact correlation, what I have needed, my entire life. So … since it has been, my breath, my body, and my participation… why dont you… go ahead and resolve that shared fact with me… and apply your psycho channel nonsense, to those , who just cant deal with… factual reality. thanks. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2014, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mole-burned-off-with-a-cigarette/705117/15 "2014-12-07T22:58:56Z")
I give up. James Joyce? ---
**Author:** ![Nametag](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nametag/32/406_2.png) [@Nametag](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nametag)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2014, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mole-burned-off-with-a-cigarette/705117/16 "2014-12-08T01:08:30Z")
> [@Mangetout](#): > > I give up. James Joyce? Jack Daniels? ---
**Author:** ![Inna\_Minnit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/5f8ce5/32.png) [@Inna\_Minnit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inna_Minnit)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2014, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mole-burned-off-with-a-cigarette/705117/17 "2014-12-08T02:45:21Z")
You know, it reads like English. But I can’t make any sense of it. ---
**Author:** ![Morgenstern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2014, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mole-burned-off-with-a-cigarette/705117/18 "2014-12-08T02:48:24Z")
> [@psychobunny](#): > > It depends on whether you destroyed all of the cancer cells. In short, cancer can certainly still develop even if all visible signs of a mole have been removed, even by a competent dermatologist. I have seen it, diagnosed it and buried the patient. You’re a doctor and an undertaker? ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2014, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mole-burned-off-with-a-cigarette/705117/19 "2014-12-08T03:15:14Z")
> [@Mangetout](#): > > I give up. James Joyce? distinct patina of e e cummings in there too ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2014, 10:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mole-burned-off-with-a-cigarette/705117/20 "2014-12-08T10:06:57Z")
> [@Morgenstern](#): > > You’re a doctor and an undertaker? Saves time, doesn’t it? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mole-burned-off-with-a-cigarette/705117.md?page=2)