Mole Mapping
Mole mapping identifies all moles on a person's body and monitors, over time, the moles' size, color and overall appearance for early detection of melanoma, a form of skin cancer. Because they tend to grow rapidly and carry a risk of serious complications, screening for, and early diagnosis of, melanomas is important. Mole mapping, which is completely safe and noninvasive, is an excellent way to keep track of changes in moles.
Candidates for Mole Mapping
Mole mapping can be performed on anyone who wants or needs a comprehensive screening for melanoma and/or other skin conditions. It is especially recommended for those who have:
- Excessive growth of moles
- Had excessive exposure to ultraviolet light
- A family history of melanoma
- Fair skin, freckling or light hair
- Had previous treatment for melanoma
- A history of severe sunburns
- Weakened immune systems
Clear identification of all moles on the body allows for their precise monitoring, enabling abnormalities to be detected as soon as possible.
The Mole Mapping Procedure
Before the mole mapping procedure, the doctor takes a medical and family history, and educates the patient on the self-evaluation of melanomas. Then, based upon the patient's melanoma risk and personal preference, the doctor performs the exam using one of various evaluation types. The basic type of mole mapping may simply involve indicating in pen or pencil the location of lesions on a cartoon drawing of the body. Another is the conventional photographing of moles on the body. The images are stored on a computer or storage system, allowing comparison of moles' growth and changes. A more sophisticated type of mole mapping is digital dermoscopic imaging, which allows the doctor to magnify and more precisely measure melanoma development or growth.
After the mole mapping exam, the images are evaluated. If a melanoma is found, the doctor will determine whether surgical removal or other treatment is necessary.
Mole mapping is usually repeated every 1 to 2 years to detect any new skin changes that may indicate melanoma or other skin conditions. For high-risk patients, mole mapping is repeated every 3 months. Mole mapping helps patients avoid, through early detection, the serious complications of malignant melanomas. One downside is the risk of misdiagnosis (false positive) of melanoma, which may result in unnecessary surgery.