Nevi (known also as ‘’moles’’) are the most common “abnormality” of the skin. Usually, they represent benign skin tumors.
Melanocytic nevi may present in a variety of forms.
They could appear flat, outgrowth or papillary and range in pigmentation from light to dark brown or black. The size varies from a few millimeters to many centimeters.
Nevi – When are they dangerous?
In order to evaluate the danger of a mole we consider the following warning signs:
- Α (Asymmetry): One half of a mole doesn’t match the other half.
- Β (Border irregularity): The edges of a mole are ragged, notched or blurred.
- C (Color): A non-uniform mixture of colour distribution.
- D (Diameter): Diameter greater than 6 millimeters.
- E (Elevation – Evolution): A change in the size, shape, symptoms (such as itching or tenderness), surface (especially bleeding), or color of a mole.
Moles – For who is recomended regular check up?
- Persons with large number of nevi.
- Persons with personal or family history of skin cancer or melanoma.
- Persons with severe sunburns or exposure to high levels of sunlight as a child.
- Patients with giant congenital melanocytic nevus.
- Patients with dysplastic nevus syndrome (factor that increase 6% the individual’s risk for developing Melanoma).
Nevi – diagnostics
- Dermoscopy: A noninvasive method that allows the in vivo evaluation of colors and microstructures of the epidermis, the dermoepidermal junction, and the papillary dermis not visible to the naked eye. The use of this technique provides a valuable aid in diagnosing pigmented skin lesions. The identification of specific diagnostic patterns related to the distribution of colors and dermoscopy structures can better suggest a malignant or benign pigmented skin lesion. This is the reason that Dermatologists say that Dermoscopy “saves lives”.
- Computerized mole mapping: It is performed using a special digital dermoscopy device ‘OPTOMED’. Computerized mole mapping is the way to keep track of your moles, providing a record of what they look like and detect even little changes at the very earliest level.
- Biopsy and surgery: to remove each mole that is suspicious for melanoma.