Moles / skin cancer screening

Have your moles checked regularly to prevent skin cancer

Moles, sometimes called liver spots, can appear anywhere on the body. These small, mostly brown spots or bumps come in different shapes, colours and sizes.

Most are harmless, though some people don't like how they look. This article explains why moles should be checked regularly, how dangerous they can be and how they can be removed.

Regular mole checks are one of the most important ways to catch skin cancer early. At our medical centre in Vienna we use Deviskan, a system for digital skin cancer screening.

Deviskan combines whole-body mapping, artificial intelligence and automated digital dermoscopy. This lets us detect and document new moles and very small changes in existing ones at an early stage.

We are the first practice in Austria to offer Deviskan for mole checks and skin cancer screening.

What are moles and how do they develop?
What causes moles?
How dangerous are moles?
How does the examination work?
How is artificial intelligence used in skin cancer screening?
Does a mole need to be removed?
What types of moles are there?
How are moles removed?
How are moles and skin cancer related?
How are actinic keratoses and sun damage treated?
Are all mole checks the same?
Can I see my skin images?
I have been diagnosed with melanoma. What now?
Our services in Vienna

What are moles and how do they develop?

Moles can be present at birth or appear later in life. Genes, how much and how intensely you have been exposed to the sun, and your skin type all play a part. A mole is a cluster of pigment-forming cells (nevus cells) that move up from the deeper layers of the skin and multiply there.

Most moles are not dangerous. But they can change and become malignant, which can lead to melanoma or other types of skin cancer.

That is why regular check-ups for early detection matter so much. We carry them out at our practice in Vienna.

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What causes moles?

There is no single cause. If your parents or grandparents have many moles, you are more likely to have them too.

Skin type also plays a role. The lighter the skin, the more moles people tend to have. People with dark skin usually have fewer.

Moles get their dark colour from the pigment melanin.

How dangerous are moles?

Many people link moles with skin cancer. The number of people with skin cancer in Austria is currently rising. Caught early, though, skin cancer can usually be cured. Younger people can be affected too, so regular checks make sense for them as well. For a first self-check you can use the ABCDE rule:

Asymmetry: the mole has an uneven shape
Border: the edge is irregular
Colour: the pigment is not even
Diameter: more than 5 mm
Elevation: the mole is raised

This is only a rule of thumb that points to a possible problem. If at least two of the five points apply, please see a dermatologist.

How does the examination work?

Deviskan full-body scanner for mole checks

Skin cancer prevention and early detection are a major focus for us. That is why our medical centre uses the Deviskan system for digital mole mapping. We are the first practice in Austria to offer it.

Using whole-body mapping and built-in digital dermoscopy, Deviskan captures your entire skin surface in high resolution in a single examination.

With the help of artificial intelligence, the system detects almost all visible moles automatically and also records them in dermoscopic quality. With older systems, technical and time limits usually meant that only a few suspicious moles could be recorded at high resolution. Deviskan makes an almost complete digital record of relevant skin lesions possible: a true whole-body skin scan.

This lets us follow almost all visible moles over time and spot changes early.

The images are stored and automatically compared with earlier ones at each follow-up. New moles are picked up, known ones can be monitored closely, and even very small changes become visible.

We were convinced by this technology, so we decided to bring Deviskan to Vienna for our patients.

Based on your moles, we recommend how often you should come back. This can be every 2 years, but in some cases, especially in follow-up care after cancer, it may be every 3 months. Comparing the images from these check-ups is what makes it possible to spot changing moles early and reliably.

Mole unchanged Mole changed

How is artificial intelligence used in skin cancer screening?

Artificial intelligence can support skin cancer screening and mole monitoring, but it never replaces a dermatologist's assessment.

Its strength is that it can analyse the whole skin surface systematically and record changes objectively over time. With Deviskan, almost all visible moles are detected and documented automatically.

AI helps to:

find new moles early

recognise moles that were documented before

show changes over time

highlight suspicious spots for a closer look

For people with many moles in particular, AI-assisted documentation makes it possible to follow changes much more precisely than by hand.

The final diagnosis and every treatment decision are always made by our dermatologists.

Does a mole need to be removed?

As long as a mole looks normal, it does not need treatment. If an examination can't show clearly whether it is benign or malignant, it should be removed and examined under the microscope (histology). Most moles, however, are removed for cosmetic reasons, especially on the face or other visible areas.

What types of moles are there?

Moles come in different forms. Knowing them helps you react to changes in time. The main types are:

Congenital moles (congenital nevus): present at birth or becoming visible in the first year of life, in different shapes, sizes and colours. Their risk is slightly higher than that of moles that appear later. Hairy moles should be watched closely. Statistically, the risk is only increased when the mole is larger than one centimetre across.
Common moles (nevus): smaller than 5 mm, one colour and with a regular border. Almost everyone has them. In Northern Europe people have about 30 to 40 on average.
Raised moles (papillomatous nevus): they look furrowed, and sometimes hair grows out of them. They are one colour and are mainly a cosmetic problem because of the rough, slightly raised surface and the hair.
Atypical moles (atypical or dysplastic nevus): they look similar to melanoma. They are larger than 5 mm, have several colours and a ragged edge, and can be flat or raised. If you have moles like this, see a dermatologist soon, because the risk of melanoma is higher.
Blue moles (blue nevus): grey-blue, flat or raised. The colour comes from the way light is refracted, because the mole lies in deeper layers of the skin. Blue moles can change too and should be monitored.

Don't take any risks

If you notice unusual moles, especially ones that grow quickly, please have them examined. Book an appointment.

How are moles removed?

Whether a mole should be removed, and how, is something we decide with you after a thorough examination. All moles we remove are examined by a pathologist, which can take several weeks. The surgical removal is done under local anaesthetic and is practically painless. We take care that the result looks good and that no noticeable scars remain. Some moles, such as papillomatous nevi or fibromas, can be removed gently with the Erbium laser or by cautery.

How are moles and skin cancer related?

"Skin cancer" is the umbrella term for cancers of the skin. There are two main types:

White skin cancer (basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, actinic keratosis): it rarely spreads.
Black skin cancer (malignant melanoma): it can spread early on, and changes are hard to detect just by looking.

Strong sun exposure and too little sun protection contribute to moles as well as to white and black skin cancer.

How are actinic keratoses and chronic sun damage treated?

Actinic keratoses are early forms of white skin cancer caused by long-term sun damage. They need treatment, because over months or years they can turn into skin cancer. At our practice we remove them with the Erbium laser, a very precise laser. Freezing with liquid nitrogen or curettage are other options. Another is daylight PDT: a medicated cream is applied, and together with sunlight it triggers a chemical reaction that makes the body shed the damaged cells. This lets us treat larger areas effectively and with little pain.

The earlier a disease is found, the better the chance of a cure. That is why regular mole checks matter.

Book an appointment.

Are mole checks using dermoscopy and full-body scanners the same everywhere?

No. Digital mole checks and skin cancer screening systems use very different technology.

Earlier whole-body scanners were an important step because they could document the entire skin surface for the first time. Dermoscopic examination and follow-up, however, were usually limited to a few suspicious moles.

Deviskan combines whole-body mapping, artificial intelligence and automated digital dermoscopy in one examination. Almost all visible moles are also captured in dermoscopic quality, instead of just a few selected ones.

This makes follow-up much more precise. New moles are detected automatically, and known lesions can be compared objectively over years.

We see this as a real step forward in the early detection of skin cancer. That is why we chose Deviskan and became the first practice in Austria to introduce it.

Experience matters as much as technology. Dr. Lara Durakbaşa worked extensively in dermatologic surgery and the surgical treatment of skin cancer at the Medical University Hospital Innsbruck. Dr. Dariana Borlea trained as a specialist in Germany and has solid experience in screening, diagnosis and follow-up care of skin tumours. Together we can look after you from early detection all the way to surgery.

I am already a patient and had skin cancer screening with FotoFinder. What does the switch to Deviskan mean for me?

Your previous examinations and images are kept and remain available for your care.

We still have our FotoFinder systems, so we can compare existing records and closely monitored moles with your earlier images at any time.

Future check-ups can be done with Deviskan. We will keep following the moles we already know about, and at the same time record almost all visible moles in high resolution and compare them over time.

So your previous records are not lost. The new technology adds to them, and we use both systems to give you the best possible screening and long-term monitoring.

Can I see my skin images?

The images are taken with the Deviskan system by Dermavision. If you wish, you can access them afterwards through a secure online login. The data is stored in a secure, GDPR-compliant cloud, so you can look at your own images whenever you like.

What Deviskan offers

mapping of the whole skin surface

automatic detection of new moles

almost all visible moles recorded in dermoscopic quality

AI-assisted monitoring over time

early detection of very small changes

painless, non-invasive examination

secure online access to your images

individual risk assessment by experienced dermatologists

I have been diagnosed with melanoma. What now?

The next steps depend on the stage of the tumour, especially its thickness. Right after the diagnosis, your doctor will tell you whether a further excision, imaging, blood tests or a lymph node biopsy are needed. You will then get a personal follow-up plan.

For patients at higher risk we strongly recommend full-body screening with Deviskan, which we have at our practice at Vienna Main Station.

Besides routine skin cancer screening, we also do blood tests (tumour markers) and lymph node ultrasound at our practice. Dr. Antonia Schreiber and Dr. Christina Hauser have years of experience from cancer centres in Germany.

We can often do re-excisions in our own procedure rooms without long waiting times. If you have just received a diagnosis, please get in touch. We will advise you and help you through the next steps.

Our services for skin cancer screening and mole checks

information and advice on your skin type and sun protection
examination with a whole-body scanner that documents and analyses the entire skin surface with AI, plus dermoscopy, digital dermoscopy and follow-up records with Deviskan®
removal of moles and other benign or malignant lesions, gently by laser or by surgery with a good cosmetic result, in our own procedure rooms
treatment of larger areas of precancerous skin with daylight PDT and laser

Dr. Christina Hauser and Dr. Antonia Schreiber have both worked in tumour centres and perform lymph node ultrasound. Guidelines recommend lymph node ultrasound in the follow-up care of patients with deeper melanomas.

FAQ: moles and skin cancer screening

Answers to common questions about moles, risk factors for skin cancer and the methods we use to spot changes early.

What are moles and how do they form?

Moles are clusters of pigment-producing cells that can be present at birth or develop over time.
Why should I have my moles checked regularly?

Regular check-ups help detect dangerous changes early and prevent and treat skin cancer.
How is a mole check performed?

We take a look at your whole skin and also use full-body scanning, video dermatoscopy and AI-assisted analysis.
What types of moles exist?

There are many different types of moles. The most common include:
– Congenital moles (congenital nevi) – present at birth or shortly after.
– Acquired moles – develop during life due to genetics and UV exposure.
– Elevated moles – dome-shaped, mostly benign, and usually slow-growing.
– Atypical or dysplastic moles – irregular in shape and colour, with a higher risk of change into a melanoma.
– Blue nevi – blue-grey pigmented moles, often slightly raised.
There are also many additional subtypes that should be assessed by a dermatologist.
Which ABCDE warning signs are important?

Asymmetry, irregular border, multiple colours, diameter > 5 mm, evolving or elevated changes.
When should a mole be removed?

If it changes, appears suspicious or is cosmetically bothersome.
How are moles removed?

Surgically under local anesthesia, or for benign lesions, by laser or cauterization.
How are moles related to skin cancer?

Some melanomas arise from moles; UV exposure increases the risk.
What happens if a melanoma is diagnosed?

Treatment depends on tumour thickness and stage of disease; ongoing follow-up is essential.
How can I prevent dangerous moles?

Use sun protection, avoid sunburns, and get annual dermatologist check-ups.

You are welcome to book a first consultation at our practice in Vienna. Book an appointment.

You can find our current prices in our price list.