When a mole becomes a cause for concern - signs that should not be ignored

Any new skin change, as well as a change in an existing change, requires an examination by a dermatologist without delay.

Preventive mole examinations play a key role in the early detection of malignant skin changes. Dermoscopic examination once a year is recommended for all adults, and especially for people with fair skin, a large number of nevi, a positive family history of melanoma, or other risk factors.

Dermatological examination of moles

 

As Dr. Tamara Jelikić, a specialist in dermatovenerology, explains to Stetoscope, the examination begins with a conversation with the patient about any changes he has noticed, his family history and sun exposure habits. This is followed by an examination of the entire skin - first macroscopically, and then with a dermoscope. The entire skin is examined, including the scalp, genital area and nails.

 

What is dermoscopy?

 

Today, dermoscopy is the standard in the examination of moles. The dermoscope allows the dermatologist a detailed overview of the pigment and vascular structures of the skin, which significantly increases the accuracy of the diagnosis. In this way, the dermatologist can better assess whether the change is benign, whether it requires further monitoring or whether the change should be removed.

 

Dermoscopic examination is completely painless and safe. On average, it takes between 15 and 20 minutes, depending on the number of moles and changes to be examined.

 

What skin changes should you pay attention to immediately?

 

An alarm for examination by a dermatologist are changes that grow rapidly, change in appearance, color, or differ from other moles on the body.

 

Differentiating a harmless mole from a potentially dangerous change is often not possible with the naked eye alone. This is why a dermoscopic examination is of key importance, because a dermatologist can recognize early signs of melanoma and other skin tumors.

 

The so-called ABCDE rule can also help in assessing changes:

 

A - Asymmetry: one half of the mole is not the same as the other.

 

B – Border: the edges are irregular, jagged, or indistinct.

 

C - Color: several shades of brown, black, red or white in the same variation.

 

D - Diameter: a difference greater than 6 mm or a difference that increases, although it can be much smaller, only 1-2 mm.

 

E - Evolution: any change in size, shape, color, or appearance of bleeding.