Short Term Mole
Monitoring
 Short term mole monitoring is
an additional diagnostic tool used for the early
detection of melanoma. It is typically used to
monitor a single suspicious growth that lacks
definite dermatoscopic features of melanoma.
The technique is most often used
for changing moles that appear benign with
dermoscopy or in the case of certain suspicious
moles that have no history of clinical change.
A high resolution digital
dermatoscopic image is taken and then photographed
again after a 3 month interval. Studies have
verified that unchanged lesions are benign and
those that demonstrate change are likely
malignant.
Ultimately, short term mole
monitoring allows for the detection of melanoma at
its earliest stage and helps avoid unnecessary
excisions.
Total
Body Photography
Total body photography involves
the use of a high-resolution professional digital
camera to capture a patient's baseline skin in a
series of standardized photographs. The aim is the
identification of malignant melanoma, the most
dangerous form of skin cancer, at the earliest
possible stage.
This photographic skin "map"
enables us, along with our patients (during home
self examination), to objectively detect new and
monitor for changing moles over time, an important
diagnostic clue for melanoma .
If a change id identified in a
particular growth as compared to the baseline
photographed, it is then more carefully evaluated
using a handheld microscope called a
dermatoscope.
Total Body Photography is most
often used for high-risk patients including:
- History of sunburns and/or extensive
lifetime sun exposure
- Multiple ordinary moles (over 50)
- Dysplastic nevi (Atypical Nevi)
- Personal history of melanoma
- Family history of melanoma
Patients are provided with a DVD
containing digital images of their entire skin
surface or a set of printed color photographs are
also available. High resolution digital
photography allows one to "Zoom in" for close up
views of a particular suspicious mole.
The use of total body photography
as a tool for early melanoma detection has been
validated in several scientific studies. Total
body photography helps us to identify and excise
potentially malignant lesions while minimizing
unnecessary biopsies.
Dermoscopy
Dermscopy, also known as
epiluminescence microscopy (ELM) or skin surface
microscopy, is a non-invasive technique utilizing
a hand held microscopic that allows magnified
examination of suspicious skin growths.
Dermoscopy helps to distinguish
between benign and malignant skin lesions and has
been shown in several studies to increase the
diagnostic accuracy of melanoma. This tool allows
us to detect melanomas earlier and avoid
unnecessary biopsies of benign lesions.
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