Digital videodermatoscopy, commonly known as mole mapping, is a high-resolution imaging technique that allows the dermatologist to examine the entire skin surface, view moles and pigmented lesions with magnification, and store images in a digital system. It is one of the most important tools for early detection of cutaneous melanoma and other skin cancers, and for their long-term monitoring.
During the examination, the dermatologist scans the whole body, identifies the moles and lesions that require follow-up, photographs them using a dermatoscopic camera connected to a computer, and places them on a digital body map. The images are archived so they can be compared with future visits, making it possible to detect subtle changes in shape, colour, size or internal structure. This helps the specialist decide more accurately which lesions should be removed because they are suspicious, while avoiding unnecessary excision of benign moles that remain stable over time.
Therapeutic perspectives
At MAVIT Clinic, digital videodermatoscopy is used for prevention and early diagnosis of melanoma and other skin cancers, particularly in high-risk patients (numerous moles, family history of melanoma, fair skin, significant past sun exposure or sunburns). The care pathway includes a comprehensive dermatologic examination, digital registration of the moles to be monitored and a personalised surveillance plan, with check-ups scheduled every few months or years according to individual risk.
If suspicious changes are observed over time or if a lesion already appears worrisome at the first visit, the dermatologist recommends a biopsy or surgical excision followed by histologic analysis. In this way, digital mole mapping helps detect skin cancers at an early stage, remove only the lesions that are truly at risk and preserve benign moles, reducing unnecessary procedures and improving the safety of long-term follow-up.
The ABCDE rule
- A for ASYMMETRY
- B for BORDERS
- C for COLOUR
- D for DIAMETER
- E for ELEVATION and EVOLUTION
For melanoma prevention, self-examination is extremely important: get used to checking your moles regularly, so you can tell the specialist about any changes or variations during your mapping visit. And remember to always apply sun protection, even in winter!
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