Birthmark examination

Birthmark examination has become current in the context of skin cancer, which is becoming more common. Only a knowledgeable dermatologist can recognise whether a birthmark is benign or malignant. Timely mole examination can save your life!
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Medical center Patient education Encyclopedia Procedures Birthmark examination

Due to the diversity of birthmarks, only a skin doctor can tell the difference between a potentially benign mole and melanoma. Melanoma is the most malignant skin cancer; similar to birthmarks, it develops from pigment cells or melanocytes. It is common that melanoma may resemble a benign birthmark at its early stages, or even develop in an existing mole.

Where to examine birthmarks?

It is not necessary to make an appointment with an oncologist at the centre of oncology – your dermatologist at the clinic of dermatology can examine your birthmarks.

You can also make an appointment for a consultation outside Riga during our dermatologists’ consultations in other Latvian cities – Daugavpils, Liepaja, Ventspils, Aizkraukle, Dobele, Cesis, Madona, Talsi, Preili, Rezekne, Sigulda.

Mole examination

Moles should be examined if one of the following criteria is met:

Skin cancer can be successfully treated if diagnosed in its early stages. Note that other types of benign and malignant skin growths can develop on the skin of any part of the body, which can complicate the process of mole diagnostics, and may require special treatment. The basal cell carcinoma (BCC) or basiloma is the most common skin cancer. Luckily, it is considerably less aggressive than melanoma but can cause significant mutilation or tissue damage. (Read more on skin cancer)

Mole examination for children

The examination process does not differ. The child’s age may determine the doctor’s tactics, since symmetric birthmark growth or development of new birthmarks may be considered a norm for children.

Birthmark diagnostics

During the examination, the dermatologist begins by examining the whole body with a naked eye. Birthmarks are categorised based on their level of risk:

Further examination with a dermatoscope is advised for medium-risk and high-risk skin growths only (see detailed information on examination price below).

Dermatoscopy of birthmarks

Dermatoscopy is the examination of the skin with a special, optical device. Dermatoscope enlarges the mole or skin growth, allowing the dermatologist to distinguish specific features of the growth and the skin structure, as well as allows the examination of the skin in the deeper layers of the dermis.

The digital dermatoscope is the most commonly used device in mole examination; the device is connected to a computer (or, nowadays, to a smartphone) and a camera. Such approach allows to photograph the skin growth (especially atypical birthmarks) and follow its development over the course of time, noticing any changes that may indicate the development of melanoma.

Video-dermatoscopy allows to record a video with a digital dermatoscope – it is commonly used for birthmark “mapping” or historical documenting of the skin growths.

If the doctor suspects that the birthmark may be malignant (high-risk growth), or if its risk level is undetermined, the dermatologist may advise birthmark removal and/or biopsy (skin tissue sample removal for microscopic examination whether the skin growth is malignant or benign).

Free birthmark examination

Every year on Melanoma Day, in association with dermatologists of Latvia, everyone can receive free mole examination. Melanoma Day provides an excellent opportunity for not only free dermatoscopic birthmark examination but other suspicious skin growths as well.

To find out when is the next Melanoma Day, follow us on Facebook or read our News!

Mole examination process

General examination

The doctor inspects the entire body with a naked, yet experienced eye

Examination with a dermatoscope

Special optical device that enlarges and illuminates skin growth allowing to distinguish its features (blood vessels, pigment webbing)

Microscopic examination

Medium and high-risk skin growths can be subject to biopsy – skin tissue sample removal for microscopic examination

Consultation fee

Qualification Clients of the clinic First visit
Doctor 42 € 45 €
Highly qualified doctor 52 € 55 €
Dr. Med. 66 € 70 €

Birthmark examination price

Mole examination price consists of the consultation fee and the price of every following birthmark examined with a dermatoscope, if more than one birthmark requires examination (note that consultation fee varies depending on the doctor’s qualification).

Only medium-risk and high-risk skin growths are examined with a dermatoscope. 

As an example, if the dermatologist (Doctor’s consultation fee 25 €) during the appointment notices two suspicious birthmarks, and the patient agrees on receiving dermatoscopic examination (examination of the first birthmark is included in the consultation fee + 7 € for every following birthmark), the total cost of the appointment will be 55 € (45 € + 10 €).

 

Qualification Consultation fee
Doctor 45 €
Highly qualified doctor 55 €
Dr. Med. 70 € 
 
Procedure Price per unit
Single birthmark examination incl. in the consultation fee
Every following birthmark examination 10 €

Clinic’s dermatologists

Doctors

Dermatologist Resident Gunita Buiksa

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Highly qualified doctors

Dermatologist Ilona Zablocka

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Dermatologist Alise Huskivadze

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Dermatologist Eliza Salijuma

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Dermatologist Zanda Bogdanova

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Dermatologist Dace Buile

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Dr. Med.

Dermatologist Dr. Med. assistant professor Māra Rone-Kupfere

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