THE TREATMENT of pigmented moles has long been a controversial subject. This controversy extends up to, but unfortunately does not end with, the opinions of our accepted authorities on the subject of pigmented moles and melanomas. Obviously our opinions must be influenced by cancer centers treating large numbers of melanomas, and by groups of physicians treating large numbers of pigmented moles. Since authorities in these fields are by no manner in accord as to the proper handling of pigmented moles, the issue must of necessity remain befuddled to the average practitioner. Driver and MacVicar in 1943 probably reviewed the literature more extensively than others, but their paper was concerned primarily with the treatment of melanomas. This paper attempts to bring together for the first time (to the author's knowledge) the viewpoints and opinions from all possible sides, as expressed by a large number of authorities,