From early childhood to the adult age, moles constantly appear, and the existing changed. Moles are not a static phenomenon but a very dynamic and they constantly changes on the skin. It is not possible to completely prevent their formation. Taking care of our skin should be natural for all of us. But we devote more attention to studying wrinkles in the mirror, that looking our moles, so there is no surprise in increase of patients with melanoma.
Dermatoscopy is a diagnostic tool for observing changes in the skin with the help of dermatoscope, an instrument which increases the field of view with polarized or unpolarized light, and primary importance has in the evaluation of pigmented skin changes. This exam is carried out after the clinical examination of skin, and it allows observation of epidermal and deeper structures of the upper dermis.
It helps dermatologist distinguish melanocytic from nonmelanocytic changes, and the greatest significance has in the early diagnosis of melanoma. Melanoma is a skin cancer that can arise from malignant transformation of moles or changes in the skin that were not there before. Melanoma is potentially curable cancer if it is detected and treated at an early stage, and unlike other cancers, it can be easily detected during regular dermatological examinations of the skin.
Dermatoscopy helps with differentiation of various tumors of the skin (keratosis, dermatofibroma, hemangioma, basal cell or squamous cell carcinoma, and other changes). Dermatological examination helps diagnose the type of change and determine when a particular change should be removed.
Digital dermatoscopy allows monitoring of malignant changes in the mole through time, with every examination images of skin changes are stored and compared with the previous ones, and if change occurs in the observed lesion, then our doctors will give you indications for its removal. This type of examination is especially important in people with an increased risk of melanoma, and these are people who have the syndrome of atypical (dysplastic) nevi, those that have already been treated for melanoma or other skin cancer (or someone in their family), which have a large number of moles on the body, which are fair-skinned and are very sensitive to exposure to the sun (red-haired people with freckles), who had a sunburn in childhood and adolescence and those that are due to profession or hobby chronically exposed to UV light.
With the phenotypic characteristics of skin, adequate protection from the sun is an important factor in reducing the risk of developing skin cancer. Every year there are more diagnosed cases of skin cancer than all other cancers combined. According to survey, five percent of all cancers in men and four percent of all cancers in women are melanoma. Melanoma is the most common cancer between ages 25-29. Most mutations in melanoma cell are caused by the UV radiation. The risk of developing melanoma is doubled if person had five or more sun burns during their life regardless of age. If burns are companied with blisters as a result of exposure to UV radiation during childhood and adolescence, it doubles the risk of developing melanoma.
In case you notice changes in moles, such as asymmetry, irregular edges, color change or an increase in the diameter of the mole, or bleeding or itching, be sure to consult a dermatologist for consultations. Examination moles is recommended once a year, and people with an increased risk should see a dermatologist more often.
At Polyclinic Bagatin we use the most advanced dermatoscope manufactured by the renowned German company Visiomed AG which specializes in medical diagnostics. This is an integrated system for early recognition of skin cancer which is specially designed to fulfil all the most important aspects of skin examination and visualization. Due to its precision, it is one of the most esteemed devices for skin cancer diagnostics, which is confirmed by numerous scientific awards. With a synergy of different diagnostic modules, the dermatoscope enables a standardized examination of suspicious skin changes and detailed personal image documentation and monitoring of moles throughout time. The skin is magnified 15 to 120 times with the help of calibrated optics to make mole analysis consistent each time. The digital dermatoscope enables photographing, marking, storing and transferring of dermatoscopic images, as well as clear visualization and analysis of suspicious lesions, for the clients and the doctors.
Advantages of mole examination with a digital dermatoscope:
Methods of removing moles at Poliklinika Bagatin
In our polyclinic, we offer three methods of removing moles and other benign lesions, such as surgical, laser and radio frequency removal.
Surgical method involves removing a mole with a scalpel. Mole must be removed entirely, which means the surface part and the part underneath the skin. When small mole is removed, wound is sewn directly, but with bigger moles sometimes free skin graft is used. Postoperative recovery after the procedure takes about seven days, and first few days after the removal of moles mandatory writhing places where they were. After removing the sutures treated places to smear a prescribed creams the next few weeks in order to soften the scar.
Laser method with the help of Erbium laser is the simplest method for removing moles and other skin lesions. In most cases, it does not require anesthesia for their removal. Laser uses light whose beam is directed directly to the mole which heats up first and it is destroyed afterwards. It's painless, requires no cutting and sutures on the skin. Also, laser removal of moles is less likely to leave scars. After the laser treatment is complete, a scab forms on the area where there was once a mole. The scab usually lasts about two weeks and then falls off. It is important to mention that with laser treatment, skin is removed on the microscopic level, and there is no possibility to send tissue sent to a pathologist for analysis for a definitive diagnosis.
Ellman radiofrequency removes only changes on the skin with the use of local anesthesia. A very fine needle is injected under the mole or other lesion. Immediately after the treatment, a wound appears in the place of the mole which does not bleed, and it is the same size as the removed lesion. A scab forms, and after 7-10 days and fresh layer of skin which blends the surrounding skin. After removing moles and lesion with radio frequency, tissue can be sent to the PHD (histopathology) analysis where it is determined whether the change is benign.
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