Mole dermatoscopy is a non-invasive diagnostic method that allows for a detailed examination of the surface of moles and other pigmented skin lesions using a dermatoscope.

This device is equipped with a special system of optical lenses and contains a source of polarized light. This helps to better visualize all skin lesions and increases diagnosis accuracy.

What lesions can be diagnosed using dermatoscopy?

Dermatoscopy is used to examine all pigmented skin lesions and is a valuable tool for the early detection of melanoma and other skin cancer.

Melanoma is a highly malignant tumour that develops in the skin cells called melanocytes. The mortality rate from melanoma is high, especially with late diagnosis, as it metastasizes quickly. Melanomas cannot be detected at an early stage without dermatoscopy.

Today in Western Europe, 80% of melanomas are detected in the early stages, thanks to regular mole screenings using dermatoscopy.

This method also allows identifying and distinguishing seborrheic keratoses, pigmented nevi, hemangiomas, angiomas, basal cell carcinomas, dermatofibromas, warts, papillomas and other skin lesions.

When should a dermatoscopy be done?

• a mole has appeared, rapidly increasing in size;
• the shape, contours or colour of a mole has changed in a short period of time;
• constant mechanical damage of the mole, for example, due to friction from clothes;
• a large number of moles (50 or more);
• family history of melanoma or other malignant skin tumours;
• before removing a mole for aesthetic reasons.

It is recommended that everyone have their moles checked by dermatoscopy once a year due to the increased incidence of skin tumours and the harmful effects of UV radiation. The examination frequency is 1-2 times a year for those who are at increased risk (a large number of moles, family history of melanoma).