DERMATOSCOPY & INITIAL CONSULTATION

Initial Consultation / Photography / Dermatoscopy

Initial Consultation

For a Whole Body Check (WBC), please allow up to 40 minutes. You will be asked to undress to your underwear; a gown is provided. If possible, remove nail polish and avoid heavy makeup.

A qualified practitioner will note down relevant medical history before conducting a comprehensive examination of your skin using a hand-held dermatoscope (a specialised magnifier for viewing the skin), to check your skin for unusual lesions, spots, freckles and moles. Locational photos and anything suspicious will be photographed using High-Resolution Digital Photography. The resulting images are stored securely on our state-of-the-art Canfield Mirror Dermagraphix Body Mapping Software for future comparison. This greatly improves the accuracy and monitoring in follow-up skin checks.

Research shows about 80% of melanomas appear as new spots on the skin and about 20% will arise from an existing mole. A combination of dermatoscopic and clinical photography allows us to keep an eye on suspicious moles. By keeping track of their size, shape and colour we can quickly identify if a mole has changed and take appropriate action early. With a record of your existing lesions from your previous visit, new ones are easy to spot and record.

You may have lesions that require treatment with Liquid Nitrogen (cryotherapy), or require a punch biopsy during the appointment. If an excision is necessary, this will be discussed at the time and a further surgical appointment booked. Torbay Skin is well equipped with a dedicated theatre.

Whole Body Photography

Whole Body Photography (WBP) is a series of 18-megapixel high resolution digital SLR photographs taken of your body. The studio has been fitted with state of the art Canfield Dermagraphix body mapping software, providing a complete medical record of your skin surface.

These images are used as reference points and allow changes in your skin to be monitored over time, meaning dangerous skin cancers, such as melanoma, have a higher chance of being detected early. These photos are used as a baseline at future skin checks and a record is kept in your computerised medical file at the clinic.

Risk Factors precluding WBP are those with:

a family history of melanoma
a previous melanoma
a history of non-melanoma skin cancers
fair skin (especially those with red hair) and previous sun damage
a large number of moles, more than 50-100
more than 5 unusual/atypical moles (irregular in shape, asymmetrical in colour and larger than ordinary)
many freckles
anyone anxious about their moles

Digital Dermatoscopic Mole-Mapping

We use a Dermlite FotoProII lens attached to a high-resolution digital SLR camera to take detailed microscopic digital images of any suspicious moles. These moles can then be followed up over a period of time to see if they have changed. We only record unusual looking or atypical moles. We store these high-resolution images in our specialised Canfield Mirror software for future comparison.

If we do identify a suspicious lesion, we will undertake further investigation and if necessary, treatment and referral. We refer our patients to other specialist centers i.e., NZ Melanoma Unit or the public hospital for complex and advanced melanomas which we are unable to manage at our clinic.

About Dermatoscopes

Dermatoscopes, or dermoscopes, are essential tools used by skin cancer specialists to help with examining the skin. At its most simple, a dermatoscope is a hand held optical device, much like a magnifying glass, with a light source attached. The diagnostician places the optical eyepiece over the area of skin of interest and using the built in light he/she can view the skin in great detail. This clear view of the skin helps with diagnosing skin cancers, particularly melanomas and differentiating melanoma skin cancer from moles or more benign pigmented nevi.

Dermatoscopes or dermoscopes are a popular accessory for dermatologists in European countries and are becoming more popular in NZ. One study conducted a meta-analysis of medical journal articles on the use of dermatoscopes and demonstrated that the diagnostic accuracy of dermoscopy is significantly better than the use of the naked eye by up to 49 percent – depending on the experience of the examiner. Considering melanoma skin cancer is one of the most aggressive and least treatable cancers, improving diagnostic accuracy by using a dermatoscope can save lives.

Skin Surgery

We are qualified and experienced GPs with specific postgraduate qualifications in skin cancer surgery and minor surgical procedures.

We can undertake minor surgery in our rooms, saving you spending time at day surgery, other specialist centers and hospitals.

Procedures include removal of skin cancers, moles, warts, skin tags, etc.

We may refer more advanced and complex skin surgeries to other specialists such as plastic surgeons, dermal surgeons and hospitals.

Book an appointment by phoning us on 09 477 1111