Skin cancers can occur in areas of the body exposed to the sun at a rate of 90% as swelling, ulcer or color change in a local area of the skin. Skin cancers, which are still the most common type of malignant cancer seen today, have been increasing in frequency in recent years. Long-term cumulative intense sun exposure causes skin cancers such as basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and malignant melanoma in sun-exposed areas in individuals with fair skin, yellow-red hair and colored eyes. In addition to our congenital moles, there are also light-dark brown, black or blue colored moles acquired as a result of sun exposure. Moles need to be distinguished from pigment-containing sunspots or freckles and other skin lesions, and dermoscopic examinations are used for this purpose, except for clinical examination. The type of skin cancer that is caused by existing moles containing melanin pigment and the surrounding tissue or as a newly developed moles is malignant melanoma.
Symptoms of rapid growth, asymmetry, color change, border irregularity, itching, crusting, ulcer development, bleeding and itching in moles necessarily require close follow-up and careful examination in terms of malignant melanoma. Although histopathological examination is the gold standard in the diagnosis of skin cancers, dermoscopic examination is a valuable method that supports the diagnosis of skin cancers and is used in the follow-up of nevi and skin cancers.
Individuals in the risk group for malignant melanoma (individuals with more than 100 nevi) a family history of skin cancer, a history of dysplastic (suspect at risk) nevus in the past, light-skinned and colored-eyed individuals, and a history of blistering sunburn in childhood. The risk of melanoma has increased compared to other individuals. Mole follow-up and digital dermoscopic examination are recommended to these people annually. In order to detect the development of melanoma early, it is very important for the patients to examine themselves in the tall mirror once a month and to follow the moles. Avoiding sunburn and using regular sunscreen products are the best measures to avoid melanoma.
