Dermatologists conduct thorough skin examinations to identify suspicious lesions early. These examinations are crucial for prompt diagnosis and treatment. Dermatologists are trained to recognize subtle changes in the skin, guiding patients through a systematic assessment of their entire skin surface.
Preparing for Your Skin Exam
Patients should prepare for a skin exam to ensure a comprehensive evaluation. Arrive without makeup or nail polish, as these can obscure potential skin cancer sites, including under the nails. Also, remove any bandages or accessories covering the skin.
Before the appointment, conduct a self-examination, noting any new or changing moles, lesions, or unusual spots. Discuss these observations with your dermatologist, along with your personal and family medical history. Genetic predispositions and past sun exposure are significant risk factors. Taking photos of changing moles can also be helpful for comparison.
The Dermatological Examination Process
During a full-body skin exam, the dermatologist systematically inspects the entire skin surface from head to toe. This comprehensive check includes areas often overlooked, such as the scalp, behind the ears, between the toes, and the buttocks and genital regions. Patients undress and wear a medical gown for this thorough inspection.
The dermatologist looks for irregular spots, moles, or lesions that show changes in size, shape, color, or texture. They assess for asymmetry, irregular borders, varied color, and a diameter larger than 6 millimeters. They also check for any sores that do not heal, bleed, itch, or cause pain.
Dermatologists often use a handheld magnification tool called a dermatoscope. This device allows for a detailed view of surface features and underlying patterns within moles and lesions, helping differentiate between benign and potentially malignant growths.
What Happens After Suspicious Findings
If a dermatologist identifies a suspicious lesion, the next step involves a skin biopsy. This procedure removes a small tissue sample for microscopic examination by a pathologist. It is a quick in-office procedure, often performed under local anesthesia.
Types of Biopsies
The choice of biopsy depends on the lesion’s appearance, size, and location. A shave biopsy removes superficial skin layers using a blade, often for raised lesions or suspected superficial skin cancers. A punch biopsy uses a circular tool to remove a deeper, cylindrical sample of skin, useful for conditions affecting deeper layers or suspected melanomas. An excisional biopsy surgically removes the entire lesion with a margin of healthy tissue, particularly for larger lesions or suspected melanomas, and may require stitches.
After the biopsy, the tissue sample is sent to a laboratory for analysis. Results are typically available within a few days to a couple of weeks. The dermatologist communicates the results to the patient and discusses any necessary follow-up actions.
Frequency and Importance of Regular Screenings
The frequency of skin cancer screenings varies depending on individual risk factors. For most adults, an annual full-body skin examination by a dermatologist is recommended. However, individuals with a higher risk, such as those with a personal or family history of skin cancer, numerous moles, fair skin, or significant sun exposure, may need more frequent checks, possibly every three to six months.
Regular professional screenings are important because early detection significantly improves treatment outcomes. Dermatologists are skilled at identifying subtle signs that might be missed during self-examinations. While self-exams are a valuable complementary measure, they do not replace the comprehensive evaluation provided by a medical professional.