Skin Cancer Screening

In the case of numerous and conspicuous birthmarks, you should make a preventive appointment once a year.

There is no age limit for skin cancer. An examination of obvious skin changes and pigmentation marks is useful at any age, even in children.

The skin is carefully and thoroughly examined under a reflected light microscope (dermatoscope). This facilitates a 10-fold magnification in which we can clearly recognise pigment marks and light damage as well as skin changes as signs of squamous cell carcinomas.

The so-called ABCDE rule is applied to the assessment of birthmarks:

A – Asymmetry
B – Boundary with weak, serrated edges
C – Colour/uneven pigmentation
D – Diamete r> 5 mm
E – Evolution/change of the pigmentation mark in the last three months

If one of these criteria applies to a pigment mark, we examine it more intensively.

Yes, we document conspicuous birthmarks using the DermaGraphix software from VISIOMED. This software provides significantly higher resolution images which we store digitally. In follow-up examinations, we compare the current findings with previous images and make any necessary therapeutic conclusions. Unnecessary operations and scars can thus be safely avoided.

We also use the DermaGraphix software for body mapping in our IntelliStudio. The entire body is scanned from head to toe and the image captured is stored digitally. During follow-up examinations, the software automatically compares the previous findings with new and more intensely pigmented abnormalities. Continuous self-optimising algorithms provide us with a risk assessment.

For the Hautcheck (skin check) PLUS we offer a PrevoTest: a blood test that detects antibodies against human papillomaviruses (HPV16). This virus is usually transmitted through skin and mucous membrane contact during sexual intercourse and can cause cancer in the mouth and throat as well as in the anogenital area. These areas are often difficult to assess during preventive examinations as they are not easy to access. The test enables us to identify precancerous lesions and tumours, where we refer our patients to specialists (ENT doctors/MCG surgeons) for the appropriate treatment.