Mole Check and Evaluation
Mole evaluation and skin lesion assessment in Chapin, SC. Board-certified dermatologist who reads his own pathology.
When to have a mole checked
Have any mole evaluated by a dermatologist if you notice change. Change in size, change in shape, change in color, new bleeding, new itching, or any sensation that was not there before.
For patients with a personal or family history of melanoma, atypical moles, or extensive sun exposure, periodic skin checks (every six to twelve months) are appropriate even without specific changes to track.
The ABCDE rule
- A Asymmetry: one half does not match the other
- B Border: irregular, ragged, or blurred edges
- C Color: more than one color, or color that has changed
- D Diameter: larger than 6 mm (about the size of a pencil eraser)
- E Evolving: any change in size, shape, color, or symptoms over time
The ABCDE rule is a useful self-check but is not a substitute for a clinical examination. Some melanomas do not follow the pattern. When in doubt, have it looked at.
What happens at the visit
Dr. Hardy will examine the lesion of concern and, depending on findings, may also conduct a full-body skin examination. If a biopsy is warranted, it can be performed the same day. The sample is processed at the in-house dermatopathology lab on-site, and Dr. Hardy reads the slide himself.
If a biopsy reveals cancer, the same physician who read the path slide will plan the next step. Continuity from diagnosis to treatment, no handoff.