Moles Mapping/Examination

The mole or in scientific terms “nevus” is a benign proliferation of melanocytes, the cells that produce the skin pigment or melanin. A careful and rigorous monitoring of one’ s nevi is essential for the prevention of melanoma- the malignant and aggressive skin cancer.
Until a few years ago, there were few melanoma patients who survived at diagnosis. Today an early diagnosis enables quick and decisive treatment thanks to the continuous efforts of scientific research.
Nevi can be of variable size and color. They can occur very early in life until the young adult age. Some factors favor the onset of new melanocytic lesions such as sun exposure, hormonal status (puberty, pregnancy) and immunosuppression. In advanced age we usually assist to a process of regression and sometimes disappearance of the nevi.
When the moles are present since birth, they are defined congenital nevi. In small congenital nevi the risk of transformation into melanoma is very low, whereas the incidence of melanoma in giant melanocytic nevi is unfortunately high, between 5% and 10% of cases and often with onset before puberty.
The auto control of one’s moles is a very important practice. Any change in symmetry, borders, colour, diameter and evolution (itching, hemorrage) is an important factor to take into consideration and requires an urgent dermatologic evaluation in order to rule out the possibility of a melanoma.

Epiluminescence

The dermatological control of nevi is a practice that should be performed at least once a year, especially in cases where there is a family history of melanoma.
The clinical examination is followed by an examination epiluminescence through a device called a dermatoscope. The latter allows to evaluate magnification the structure of the nevus, its colors and the global architecture. You get a judgment of the nevus: benign and so quiet with no particular risks or irregular or '' suspicious ''. In the latter case, you could run a short distance monitoring to understand the course of the nevus; in some cases instead is a biopsy program to obtain a histological examination and a suitable diagnostic orientation. When the suspicion of a melanoma is high, is so urgent surgical removal program for histological examination.After mapping the ‘’risky’’ nevi, the latter are subjected to magnification by the application of a high definition camera with polarized light, which allows to obtain also a magnification of 50 times. This allows you to create images that will be analyzed in detail, that could be stored in a database and used in subsequent tests to assess any changes. If on subsequent follow ups some modifications are appreciated, this would give an indication for surgical removal of the suspicion. An early diagnosis of melanoma, in fact, guarantees a better survival and in some cases, complete healing.
 

For further information or appointment, please contact our clinics in Beirut, Lebanon.