Examination of skin changes

Plastic surgery

An examination of skin changes involves the examination of the whole skin surface as well as the visible mucosa. Individuals with a pale complexion, a certain skin type, and numerous moles have an increased susceptibility to the harmful effects of UV radiation, and, consequently, a higher incidence of skin carcinoma and melanoma. Therefore, such inidividuals should undergo preventive examinations more frequently (at least twice a year). A nevus (mole) is a pigmented skin lesion which may be congenital or develop later in life. In clinical practice, it is extremely important to recognize atypical moles (dysplastic nevi) in time, since malignant melanoma must be considered in the differential diagnosis of such pigmentary changes. The typical features in the appearance of a mole which point to a possible early malignant change are asymmetry, irregular borders, discoloration (especially uneven pigmentation), diameter increase, and the change of a flat into a raised pigmented lesion. All these changes are indications for the removal of the mole in question. The appearance of “nodules” in the mole, itching, a change in the consistency of the mole (puckering or softening), bleeding, ulcerations, satellite lesions, and/or enlarged regional lymph nodes are features of advanced-stage malignant melanoma.