Understanding how to assess skin growths and when to seek professional medical attention is a fundamental step in preventative health care. A professional mole check provides a thorough evaluation that goes beyond self-monitoring, offering peace of mind or early detection of potential issues. This guide outlines the process, from recognizing a concerning spot to understanding the results of a specialized examination.
Knowing When to Seek a Professional Check
Self-monitoring is the first line of defense for detecting moles that require professional attention. The most widely used criteria for evaluating a mole’s potential risk is the ABCDE rule, which helps identify characteristics associated with melanoma.
When performing a self-exam, look for Asymmetry, where one half of the mole does not match the other half in shape or appearance. Examine the Border for irregularity, looking for edges that are ragged, blurred, or notched, rather than smooth and clearly defined. Color variation is a sign of concern, involving multiple shades of brown, black, tan, white, red, or blue within the same growth. The Diameter of a concerning mole is typically larger than 6 millimeters, roughly the size of a pencil eraser. The final element is Evolving, which refers to any change in size, shape, color, or elevation over weeks or months. Additionally, symptoms such as bleeding, itching, or crusting indicate a mole needs medical assessment. Dermatologists also use the “ugly duckling” sign, which suggests a mole that looks noticeably different from all the others on the body warrants closer inspection.
Scheduling and Preparing for Your Skin Exam
When a suspicious mole is identified, the next step is to secure a professional skin examination. While a Primary Care Physician (PCP) can perform an initial screening, a board-certified dermatologist is recommended for a comprehensive full-body check, as they are experts in diagnosing and managing skin growths.
To ensure the most thorough examination, specific preparation is necessary before the appointment. It is advisable to remove all nail polish from both fingers and toes, as polish can mask subtle signs of skin cancer developing beneath the nail beds. Similarly, avoid wearing heavy makeup or concealing creams on the day of the exam, as these products can hide small lesions on the face or body.
It is helpful to arrive prepared with a list of any spots that have changed, are new, or are causing discomfort, like itching or bleeding. If possible, take photographs of a mole that has changed over time to show the medical professional, as this visual history can be highly informative. Bringing your hair loose and avoiding heavy hairspray will also facilitate a proper examination of the scalp.
What Happens During a Dermatological Mole Check
The professional skin examination, often called a full-body skin check, is a systematic inspection of the entire skin surface. The process begins with the patient undressing and changing into a medical gown, with the doctor typically only uncovering one section of the body at a time to maintain comfort. The dermatologist will methodically examine the skin from head to toe, including areas often missed during self-exams.
This check includes the scalp, which may require parting the hair, as well as the palms, soles of the feet, and the areas between the toes and fingers. The dermatologist also checks less obvious areas, such as the skin under the breasts and the buttocks.
During the inspection, the dermatologist uses a handheld instrument called a dermatoscope, which is a specialized, lighted magnifying device. The dermatoscope allows the doctor to look beneath the skin’s surface layers and examine the structural patterns and pigment distribution within a mole. This non-invasive technique, known as dermoscopy, increases the accuracy of distinguishing between a harmless mole and a suspicious lesion.
Any suspicious lesion will be documented by the medical professional. This documentation often involves taking digital photographs of the mole to establish a baseline for future comparison. For moles that are atypical but do not require immediate removal, the doctor may recommend a period of observation, scheduling a follow-up visit to check for any changes.
Understanding Biopsy Procedures and Results
If a mole exhibits features that suggest a higher risk, the dermatologist may recommend a biopsy to obtain a tissue sample for laboratory analysis. The procedure begins with the injection of a local anesthetic to numb the area, ensuring the patient feels only a small pinch during the tissue removal. The choice of biopsy technique depends on the mole’s characteristics and the level of suspicion.
Shave Biopsy
A shave biopsy involves using a small blade to remove the raised, superficial portion of the lesion. This method is often used for growths confined to the upper layers of the skin, such as elevated benign lesions or some superficial skin cancers.
Punch Biopsy
For lesions that extend deeper into the skin layers or when inflammation is suspected, a punch biopsy is used. A circular tool removes a deeper, cylindrical core of tissue, typically 2 to 6 millimeters in diameter.
Excisional Biopsy
When melanoma is strongly suspected, an excisional biopsy is the preferred method. This technique removes the entire mole, along with a small margin of surrounding normal-appearing skin. This ensures the pathologist can accurately determine the full extent and depth of the lesion.
The removed tissue sample is then sent to a dermatopathologist for microscopic examination, where the definitive diagnosis is made. Biopsy results categorize the finding, usually within a week or two, as benign, dysplastic, or malignant. A benign result means the mole is normal and requires no further treatment beyond routine monitoring. If the result is a dysplastic nevus, or atypical mole, management varies based on the degree of abnormality, with severe cases often requiring complete removal with clear margins. A malignant result, confirming skin cancer, establishes the need for a treatment plan, which may involve wider-excision surgery or other therapies based on the specific diagnosis and depth of the cancer.