Patrick Bitter MD White Logo | Advanced Aesthetic Dermatology in Los Gatos, CA

Skin Exams In LOS GATOS, CA

Skin Exams In LOS GATOS, CA

Conveniently located to serve the areas of Los Gatos, Mountain View, Palo Alto and San Jose, CA

Early signs of skin cancer are a change in the skin, such as a growth, an irritation or a sore that does not heal, or a change in a wart or a mole.

During a physical exam for a skin problem, your doctor will examine the skin over your whole body, looking for suspicious growths, moles, or lesions. The exam is performed using a bright light and occasionally a magnifying lens. The scalp is examined by parting the hair. A skin exam is done if you have: suspicious moles or skin lesions; symptoms of early skin cancer; a history of previous skin cancer; 50 or more moles; atypical moles (dysplastic nevi); or a family history of skin cancer.

Signs of Melanoma

The ABCDE rule of detection means watching for:

Asymmetry

One half of the mole doesn’t match the other half.

Border irregularity

The edges are ragged, notched, or blurred.

Diameter

The mole or skin growth is larger than 6 mm (0.2 in.), or about the size of a pencil eraser. Any growth of a mole should be of concern.

Color

The pigmentation is not uniform. Shades of tan, brown, and black are present. Dashes of red, white, and blue add to the mottled appearance. Changes in color distribution, especially the spread of color from the edge of a mole into the surrounding skin, also are an early sign of melanoma.

Evolution

There is a change in the size, shape, symptoms (such as itching or tenderness), surface (especially bleeding), or color.

Other Signs of Melanoma in a Mole

Elevation

such as thickening or raising of a previously flat mole.

Surface

such as scaling, erosion, oozing, bleeding, or crusting.

Surrounding skin

such as redness, swelling, or small new patches of color around a larger lesion (satellite pigmentations).

Sensation

such as itching, tingling, or burning.

Consistency

such as softening or small pieces that break off easily (friability).

Other Signs of Skin Cancer

What To Think About

Photographs may be used to document and detect changes in the skin, especially atypical moles. Some medical centers use computers to compare photographs taken at an earlier exam with new photographs of suspicious moles and lesions. This technique may more accurately determine whether a mole or lesion is changing.

Doctors may use a dermatoscope instead of a biopsy to see spots on the skin. This tool’s special magnifying lens and light source help the doctor see the skin more clearly. Also, with a method called confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), doctors can look even more closely at changes in the cells and tissue of the skin.

Doctors don’t have to do a biopsy to see if a lesion is benign (noncancerous).

Some experts think it’s a good idea to check your own skin every month and have your doctor check periodically. People who are at risk for skin cancer or those who are over 40 years old may want to have their doctor check their skin every year. If you have already had skin cancer, your doctor will recommend more frequent exams.

Get in touch

Feel free to reach out and ask us anything!

SCHEDULE YOUR SKIN CONSULTATION NOW
Call Now Button