Skin cancer rates in Australia are among the highest in the world, primarily due to intense UV exposure. Fortunately, skin cancers can be effectively treated if detected early through clinical skin cancer screening. As per experts like SunDoctors, when you get your skin checked, knowing the testing options helps you understand the procedures. Different skin exams provide a comprehensive inspection to spot any suspicious lesions requiring a biopsy.
The Visual Skin Exam
A visual inspection of your full body remains the standard first-line screening. The dermatologist scans everywhere – even the scalp, between toes, soles of feet, and underside of nails. They examine all moles and skin markings, however faint. The goal is detecting any abnormal lesions using the senses of sight and touch. Telltale signs are asymmetry, irregular borders, uneven color, large diameter and evolving size/shape. Magnification devices aid visibility.
Skin Photography
Photographic mapping provides important historical documentation. Your moles are photographed from set distances/angles for your medical record. Images enable precise comparison of lesions over time to determine if any changes indicate higher risk. Some clinics photographically map the entire body. Follow-up photos are compared to baseline images to track mole changes.
Dermoscopy
Also called dermatoscopy or epiluminescence microscopy, this technique allows magnified inspection of the skin’s surface and subsurface using a specialized instrument. The dermatoscope mitigates glare and brings subsurface skin structures into focus. This enhances ability to assess mole shape, size, pigmentation patterns and vessels to identify malignancies. It offers about 10X magnification.
Confocal Microscopy
This advanced, high-powered microscopy scans beneath the outermost skin layer using lasers. Also called reflectance confocal microscopy, the imaging captures horizontal layers as deep as the lower epidermis and upper dermis in real time. This enables scans below a mole’s surface to assess cellular-level changes indicative of melanoma, sans biopsy. The microscopic lesions can then be monitored or biopsied as needed.
Sequential Digital Dermoscopy
This approach combines serial body photography with dermoscopy for precise mole analysis. Your atypical moles are photographed and then further examined with a dermatoscope during screening. By comparing current and past clinical images, the dermatologist can identify any worrisome changes developed in specific lesions since the prior visit. This aids diagnosis.
Multispectral Digital Skin Analysis
Using advanced optics and algorithms, this technique examines suspicious lesions across multiple wavelengths of light. The mole is evaluated at various electromagnetic spectrum in order to enhance visualization of structures. The multispectral readings provide a comprehensive biomarker profile of a mole’s morphology to either rule out or confirm melanoma risks, avoiding unnecessary biopsies.
Molecular Gene Expression Profiling
This newer lab test analyzes the gene expression patterns of cells from a suspicious mole rather than visual factors. Differences in certain gene activities can indicate whether a mole is benign or potentially malignant. The genomic biomarkers discern melanoma from benign lesions. This assists diagnosis when based solely on appearance proves difficult.
Conclusion
Understanding the screening techniques helps you better comprehend the clinical process. Knowing the available tests allows you to discuss options with your dermatologist and understand the purpose behind each exam performed during your visit. Being an informed patient supports early detection.
International Journal of Research (IJR) 