Generality
Mole mapping is a dermatological assessment that allows constant monitoring of pigmented lesions present throughout the patient's body.
Snow mapping is performed with the aid of non-invasive precision optical instruments, which analyze not only the external morphological structure of the lesions, but also the characteristics of the layers immediately below the superficial dermis.
With this evaluation, the dermatologist has the opportunity to view and archive the photos of suspicious pigmented spots on a computer, in order to compare them with the images recorded in the following months or years and identify any signs of alteration.
For these reasons, the mapping of moles is an important diagnostic test to identify the presence of skin cancer early and significantly improve the chances of cure.
What is a mole (or nevus)?
Moles (or nevi) are pigmented spots caused by a proliferative process characterized by the accumulation of melanocytes (cells that produce melanin, the pigment responsible for skin color and tanning).
These skin lesions can arouse suspicion when they present an "atypical" structure, both to the naked eye and following a dermatoscopic examination.
What is Mole Mapping?
The term "mapping" is intended as a skin control program, implemented in order to periodically detect the lesions present on the patient's skin surface; in subsequent checks, the comparison with the results of previous visits allows to verify if the skin lesions have undergone a change in shape and color.
Mole mapping uses non-invasive and painless technologies, such as manual dermatoscopic examination or digital videodermatoscopy.
- The dermatoscopic examination is a method that allows to examine the skin surface thanks to a strong magnification, able to increase the dermatologist's diagnostic capacity. This investigation also allows the vision of the structures located immediately below the superficial epidermis ( intermediate layer between epidermis and deep dermis), otherwise not visible to the naked eye.
The observation of these elements is relevant for the specialist doctor, who can evaluate the characteristics and the typical organization of each skin lesion.
The information relating to the moles is then cataloged and stored with appropriate computerized systems, to allow the control and comparison of suspicious neoformations over time. - Videodermatoscopy involves the use of an optical fiber camera, connected to a computer that transmits images of the highest quality and allows you to save, with appropriate computerized systems, the photographs of the lesions. Thanks to this method, the dermatologist can examine with extreme care the pigment network, the distribution of melanin and the vascularization of the stain, improving the ability to identify suspicious lesions, which will then be subjected to histological examination.
What is it for
The mapping aims to record the presence of pigmentary neoformations on the whole body and to carefully follow the nevi that show atypical clinical and dermatoscopic characteristics.
During the mapping of the moles, the dermatologist can:
- Carefully observe the characteristic aspects of each mole;
- To have an "indication of the nature of the skin spots;
- Distinguish the neoplastic forms with a higher accuracy than the evaluation with the naked eye or with a normal magnifying glass.
The mapping of the moles therefore represents a fundamental support for the early diagnosis of a melanoma, a malignant tumor from the epidermis that can arise on healthy skin or on a pre-existing nevus, transformed into a neoplastic sense.
Melanoma is not the most common skin cancer, but it is the most dangerous, as it can metastasize relatively quickly. If this is identified early and treated with surgery, however, the prognosis is favorable.
How it is done
Mole mapping is an investigation performed during a dermatological visit, with the patient free from clothing, for a better assessment of the skin and visible mucous membranes.
At first, the subject is examined on the examination table for the overall assessment with the naked eye, then moles that appear to be irregular are marked.
The second part of the visit involves the use of the dermatoscope, which allows the dermatologist a direct view of the skin surface. This instrument is a sort of small microscope, equipped with a lens, which is placed in contact with the skin.
The area to be examined is illuminated with a polarized light incorporated in the device; the skin is translucent and the superficial dermis (the intermediate layer between epidermis and deep dermis) is also highlighted.
During the dermatoscopic examination, the dermatologist takes macro photographs of the marked moles and then analyzes them with a digital medium.
Alternatively, for the mapping of the moles, the doctor can use a camera connected to an electronic system (digital videodermatoscope), which allows you to look at the images indirectly on a monitor.
In addition, the wound assessment program offers the possibility to create folders for each patient, in which to store the skin images viewed.These custom documents can be used to compare moles over time.
