Mole Mapping

People who have a lot of moles, especially ones that look irregular, are at higher risk of developing melanoma (a serious type of skin cancer). Most moles are harmless, but having many of them means there are more chances for one to change into cancer.

Mole mapping involves taking high-resolution digital images of the skin at different time points to track any changes in the appearance of moles. Some mole mapping systems also use dermoscopy, which magnifies the lesion and reveals structures not visible to the naked eye. More advanced techniques incorporate artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms to analyze mole patterns and detect potential malignancies.

During the process:

1. Baseline images are taken of the entire body or specific areas with numerous or unusual moles.
2. The images are stored and compared over time to detect changes.
3. If a mole exhibits suspicious changes—such as size increase, color change, asymmetry, or irregular borders—Dr. Al- DuJaili may recommend further evaluation.
4. If a mole appears potentially cancerous, a skin biopsy is performed. This involves removing a sample of tissue for histopathological analysis to confirm or rule out skin cancer.

A suspicious mole, also called a dysplastic nevus or an atypical mole, is a mole that looks different from a typical, common mole. While most moles are round, evenly colored, and small, atypical moles have irregular features, making them look more like early-stage melanoma. However, most atypical moles are benign (non-cancerous).

Melanoma is highly curable when detected early, but it can be aggressive and spread to other parts of the body if left untreated. Unlike basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas which often arise as new lesions rather than from pre-existing moles, melanoma frequently develops from atypical or dysplastic nevi.

Mole mapping an effective tool for:

• Tracking pre-existing moles to detect subtle changes that might indicate early melanoma.
• Identifying new pigmented lesions that warrant closer examination.
• Reducing unnecessary biopsies by allowing dermatologists to monitor stable moles rather than removing every atypical lesion.

Mole mapping is especially recommended for individuals who:

• Have multiple atypical (dysplastic) nevi, which can mimic melanoma.
• Have a personal or family history of melanoma.
• Have fair skin and a history of frequent sun exposure or sunburns.
• Experience new or changing moles that require closer observation.
• Are immunosuppressed due to medical conditions or treatments, increasing their risk of skin cancer.
•  Have experienced previous skin cancer removal and need ongoing surveillance.

• It is not a skin cancer detection tool for non-pigmented basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma.
• It does not diagnose melanoma. A biopsy is necessary to confirm a melanoma diagnosis.

Mole mapping is a specialized screening tool for melanoma, helping dermatologists track changes in pre-existing moles and detect new pigmented lesions that may be early melanomas. While it is not typically used for detecting basal cell carcinoma (BCC) or squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), which often present as new growths rather than evolving moles, it is highly effective for high-risk individuals who need long-term mole monitoring to catch melanoma early.