Diagnosis
Diagnosis of Skin Cancer
The most important aspect of any skin cancer examination is a thorough inspection of the skin. The doctor is looking for different types of skin cancers, precancerous lesions, unusual moles and melanomas.
A technique known as dermoscopy is regarded as the most accurate technique of melanoma diagnosis. This involves putting oil on the surface of a mole and then looking through a hand-held device. The oil reduces surface reflection and allows visualisation of deeper structures in the skin. In expert hands, this improves the diagnostic accuracy of melanomas as well as reducing the number of unnecessary excisions.
Dr Wassall has had extensive postgraduate training in dermoscopy. Furthermore, Dr Wassall uses two different types of dermatoscopes during a skin examination. This technique is now generally regarded by experts as the gold standard in melanoma diagnosis.
Dermatoscopes can also be to help in the diagnosis of other skin cancers, precancerous sunspots and a variety of benign skin lesions. Dr Wassall combines this with the more traditional approach of skin examination under good lighting with magnification.
Dr Wassall has a strong interest in digital monitoring of pigmented skin lesions and moles. His present system is touse a digital camera attached to the dermatoscope to take photographs of individual lesions. This produces photos with high levels of image detail and clarity. These photos are stored on a computer to allow monitoring for changes. Dr Wassall also uses a digital SLR camera to take photos of larger areas of the body to allow identification of new or changing moles.