Dermatoscope - mole examination

Description of the Examination

Diagnosis of Skin Lesions

Although our understanding of the causes of cancer continues to grow, modern medicine cannot always prevent these diseases. That is precisely why screening tests (known as secondary prevention) are available. These tests are intended for virtually everyone, including healthy individuals and those at low risk.

What Is Dermoscopy?

The goal of the examination is to detect malignant tumors in their early stages, when treatment is usually relatively simple. Mole screening also aims to identify precancerous moles and prevent the development of skin cancer. At our clinic, we use high-quality handheld dermatoscopes to examine moles, which enable us to provide fast and reliable diagnoses.

At our clinic, we also offer examinations using a digital dermatoscope. Unlike a handheld device, it takes images of moles, which it stores, allowing for comparison of changes over time. However, ordinary, benign moles do not require long-term monitoring with a digital dermatoscope. It is particularly suitable for patients who have multiple so-called dysplastic nevi on their bodies.

These moles show changes over time, but are not yet dangerous. On the other hand, however, they are associated with a higher risk of developing cancer. The World Health Organization (WHO) does not recommend removing these moles immediately, but rather monitoring them for now. In practice, patients are first examined with a manual dermatoscope, and if our experienced dermatologist deems it necessary, a digital examination follows.

How We Grade Each Symbol

We thoroughly examine every mole on our clients’ bodies and evaluate it based on several criteria. Using these criteria, we can determine whether a mole is safe, requires monitoring, or should be removed. The evaluation criteria are as follows:

When should you go for a checkup?

If the mole is irregular, has blurred edges, varies in shades of brown or red, is larger, or its characteristics change significantly, do not delay seeing a doctor. In some cases, excision followed by histological examination may be indicated for a more thorough diagnosis.

What Are Moles and Why Should You Have Them Checked?

Birthmarks, or pigmented nevi, are skin lesions that form due to the accumulation of melanocytes—cells that produce the skin pigment melanin. On most of our skin, melanocytes are arranged individually and separately. Skin nevi contain clusters of these cells of varying sizes, arranged closely together.

A newly formed or rapidly changing mole is the most common warning sign of melanoma—a malignant skin tumor. Melanoma originates in melanocytes and can develop anywhere on the body, but most commonly on the skin. A skin tumor can also develop from an old mole that you may have had on your body for decades. That is precisely why regular checkups of all moles are important.

Sign Division

Moles can be classified according to their origin and characteristics. In terms of origin, the most common are acquired pigmented nevi, which appear mainly between childhood and the age of 20. Congenital birthmarks are much less common. These develop before birth; they are red or brown in color, may be raised or flat, and may have hair growing from them. Their appearance may change as the person grows.

Based on their characteristics, we primarily distinguish between common and atypical moles. Common nevi are the most common and have uniform coloring. Their borders with the skin are sharp, and their edges are regular. Atypical moles, or dysplastic nevi, on the other hand, are irregularly colored and have less sharply defined, irregular borders. They also tend to change over time, making them suitable candidates for examination with a digital dermatoscope.

Frequently Asked Questions and Answers