Mole Screening and Examination

The process of scanning and examining moles is also known as nevus examination. During mole scanning and examination , both handheld dermoscope and computerized dermoscope devices are used. The purpose of the dermoscope device is to see the details of moles that cannot be seen by examination and naked observation. At this stage, special light and magnification systems are used.

How is Mole Screening and Examination Performed?

The mole scanning examination is performed as individual or regional scanning of nevi. Moles consisting of cells called melanocytes do not spread under normal conditions. Melanomas are the forms of these melanocytes that have transformed into cancer cells. These cells have a high ability to metastasize, that is, to spread to distant places. This is why it can cause the most dangerous skin cancer.

During the mole examination, a suspicious lesion is examined with a dermoscope. On dermoscopic examination, it is possible to interpret whether a cell is benign or malignant in about 70% of cases. You can get detailed information about mole scanning and examination procedure and have a dermoscopic examination at our center.

How is Dermoscopic Examination of Moles Performed?

In mole screening, dermoscopy examination is performed to examine the moles in detail. Dermoscopic examination can be performed on any mole. The moles for which this examination is performed are detailed below:

Moles that have undergone any change in a short period of time (This change can manifest itself in the form of color, swelling, shape or size).
Bleeding moles
Moles that appear during childbirth and have a large diameter
Moles with many different colors (These colors can be both light and dark. Light colors are usually pink and white, while dark colors can be brown, black and gray.)
Moles with a very small diameter (Moles with a diameter between 1 mm and 2 mm and a very smooth appearance can very rarely be the initial stage of melanoma).
Moles suspected by the doctor
Moles that occur in people at risk of developing melanoma.

Who is at High Risk of Developing Melanoma?

Moles have a certain risk of developing melanoma . People whose moles are most likely to be malignant are listed below:

People with many moles (people with 50 or more moles are more likely to have melanoma than other people).
The number of moles called atypical is 5 or more (Atypical is also referred to as dysplastic in some cases).
People with red hair or freckles
Having fair skin or colored eyes increases the risk of melanoma. (By fair-skinned people, I mean people who do not darken regardless of the duration of their stay in the sun).
When you were 14 years old or younger, you had a sunburn with water-filled particles (sunburns are also very painful and severe).
People with a first-degree relative who has been diagnosed with melanoma before. (First-degree relatives mean mother, father and children).

The above items include individuals at high risk of developing melanoma. But this should not be misunderstood. People not listed above can also be diagnosed with melanoma. A comprehensive examination is required, especially for moles that have been present for a long time but whose size or shape is constantly changing.

How to Map Moles for the Whole Body?

During the application of mole mapping, a device called a computerized dermoscope is used. The first procedure during mole scanning and examination is completed with a computer program. Thanks to the computer program, many poses of the patient are taken from different directions and angles. Then the specialist doctor examines the patient with a dermoscope from the poses taken and the moles on the body. Each mole is examined at a magnification between 20 times and 1000 times.

Produced using advanced technology, the device takes pictures of the desired images and records them on the screen. This is a great convenience for patients and specialists. Thanks to the memory of this device, previous mole images of patients can be accessed at each examination. In addition, an accurate diagnosis can be made by comparing the old and new images.

What is Ben Mapping Analysis?

The definition of mole mapping analysis describes the type of examination performed on patients at risk of melanoma. Thanks to the mole mapping procedure, moles are examined and mapped in detail. Mole mapping is applied to the person with a high risk of melanoma. You can come to our center and have your moles examined.

What Should Be Considered During Mole Mapping?

Below is a list of things to consider about mole mapping:

Male and female patients should be given underwear to wear during the procedure. In male patients, the underwear should be in suspensory style, while in female patients it is recommended to be in thong style.
Before the procedure, especially the underarms and genital area should be shaved.
Male patients with very dense hair should shave not only the armpit and bikini areas but also other parts.
Moles in the genital area or around the anus should first be checked by the patient. In case of any growth or shape change in the moles in these areas, a specialist should be consulted.
Information about the moles on the hairy part should be told to the doctor during the examination.
The patient to be examined should not have any make-up on the face. Especially applying powder and foundation can interfere with the procedure.
Nail polish should not be applied on the nails.
People should not apply sunscreen or any other cream on the day of the examination.
Both women and men should come to the examination without moisturizing cream on their bodies. You can get details about the examination from our center.