Dermatoscopy

There are growths on every person's skin, and over time, some may disappear and others may appear. Not everyone knows that some formations can be dangerous and degenerate into malignant ones. The most dangerous skin disease is melanoma. It can develop both from a mole and on "clean" skin. The disease is asymptomatic, develops rapidly and grows deep into the skin, tumor cells enter the lymph and bloodstream and spread throughout the body. This is how melanoma metastasizes. The disease is extremely difficult to treat. In half of the cases, a person cannot be cured.

The only ways to deal with this are prevention and regular screening.

Dermatoscopy

In the early stages, melanoma and skin cancer cannot be seen with the naked eye. Signs of malignant degeneration can only be detected by a specialist using a special device - a dermatoscope. Therefore, dermatoscopy is by far the most effective method of early diagnosis of melanoma and skin cancers.

A dermatoscope is an optical device that takes macro images of skin formations with a 20x magnification. During dermatoscopy, the rays of polarized light penetrate into the upper layers of the skin, which is where the primary accumulation of malignant cells occurs. This information is enough for a dermatologist to assess the condition of the neoplasm and make further recommendations.

In addition to traditional dermatoscopy, the EMC uses the latest digital FotoFinder technology, which combines high-precision dermatoscopy with photographing the entire body and the ability to magnify even the smallest education 140 times. In this way, the entire surface of the skin is examined, all formations on it are analyzed, recommendations for removal are given, and the results are recorded in an electronic map of moles to compare with future examinations.

How is dermatoscopy performed

The procedure is completely painless and comfortable, and lasts no more than 30 minutes.During dermatoscopy, the doctor measures the neoplasm, evaluates the pattern of the edges of the mole, analyzes the surface structure and the degree of penetration of pigmented cells deep into the skin. All moles are recorded in an individual map of skin growths, this is done so that it is possible to track changes over time and make a forecast for the future for observation and removal.

FotoFinder's mole diagnosis also takes 90 minutes and requires no prior preparation. The procedure is fully automated, all moles are automatically entered into the patient's mole chart and analyzed using artificial intelligence. As a result, the patient receives a detailed report with recommendations for removing suspicious moles and caring for the rest. This method improves diagnostic accuracy by up to 99% and allows you to detect even the smallest formations that are invisible during traditional dermatoscopy.

Indications for dermatoscopy

Dermatoscopy is especially recommended:

• patients with light or red hair, fair skin, and light eyes;
• people with a large number of moles, freckles, moles, and age spots;
• elderly people;
• people with a genetic predisposition (in the family there are cases of melanoma and skin cancer);
• patients who spend a long time in the sun;
• patients who have moles that are often subjected to mechanical stress (injured or rubbed by clothing).

Dermatoscopy must be performed before removing the neoplasm, as well as if a new mole has appeared that is growing rapidly, or the old mole has begun to change (asymmetry, peeling, inflammation, itching, bleeding, etc.). In case of injury to the mole or the skin area where it is located.

Dermatoscopy is also used to diagnose:

1. keratomas or solar keratosis;
2. hemangiomas or angiomas;
3. papillomas, warts.

Contraindications

Dermatoscopy is completely safe and has no contraindications. It is recommended for children, pregnant women and women during lactation. 

Advantages of dermatoscopy

• The method allows to examine neoplasms of any size
• Does not require surgery, anesthesia, completely painless
• 99% diagnostic accuracy
• It takes no longer than 30 minutes and does not require any preliminary preparation
• The doctor receives the result immediately, and the patient receives recommendations for further examination and treatment
• The method has no contraindications, no complications and no recovery period
• FotoFinder digital dermatoscopy is equipped with a program that automatically issues a conclusion based on the results of the examination, so doctors and the patient can be sure of the accuracy of the recommendations
• Dermatoscopy allows you to track the dynamics of the development of skin tumors

The danger of moles

The World Health Organization uses about 300 names for the term that patients commonly refer to as a mole. Any skin formation can degenerate into melanoma or skin cancer,however, this chance is higher in some formations. In addition, neoplasms can develop on clean skin.

• Dysplastic (atypical) nevi become the most common melanoma. This is a pigmented neoplasm, similar to a mole, with bizarre edges, often of a heterogeneous black-brown color. An atypical nevus may be flat or rise above the rest of the skin in the middle. In the presence of such formations, it is necessary to visit a dermatologist at least once a year. If there are more than 50 of them, screening should be carried out every six months or more often, the doctor will give individual recommendations.
• The probability of becoming melanoma is increased in congenital pigmented nevi (birthmarks). Giant pigmented nevi (more than 10 cm) have the highest risk of degeneration, it is 30%, and they are recommended to be removed as soon as possible.
• Papillomas have the lowest risk of malignancy.

There is a generally accepted system of self-diagnosis

A person can conduct an examination of moles himself, but we must not forget that the accuracy of such screening cannot be compared in accuracy with an examination by a professional dermatologist.

The "ABCDE" rule

"A" (Asymmetry) —Asymmetry. If the mole is no longer round or rounded, it must be shown to a dermatologist.

«B» (Border) — Border.If the edges of the mole have become uneven, jagged or scalloped, this is a reason to consult a specialist.