Only at Plaza Park Family Practice and Déjà Vu Skin & Body Works. We are the only facility in the Tri-State area to offer Total Body Photography. Please tell your friends and relatives about this unique service. No doctor’s referral is required.

Early Melanoma Detected By TBP

Melanoma Detection. TBP, also known as Mole Mapping or Body Mapping, is an invaluable aid in the early detection of melanoma. Most patients have heard of the ABCD’s of melanoma: Asymmetric shape, irregular Borders, variable Color, and Diameter larger than a pencil eraser. However, the most predictive risk factor for melanoma is change in size or shape-something the ABCD’s do not mention. The reason for this omission is that until now there has been no reliable way to measure change. TBP overcomes this deficiency and greatly enhances the chances of finding melanoma at an early and treatable stage.  

Dr. Manley comparing digital images to a patient's skin during routine follow-up exam

The Concept.  The idea of TBP is quite simple: to create high-quality images of the entire skin surface (not including the genital area) as a reference for future comparison.  This simple concept is now available to all patients because of the convergence of professional digital photography and sophisticated computer software.  TBP programs are available at most major medical centers around the world.  We are pleased to be the first medical clinic to bring this innovative program to patients in the Evansville area. 

Our System.  We use the DermaGraphix® system from Canfield Scientific, Inc., the national leader in medical photography. Please refer to their website at:http://www.canfieldsci.com/Imaging_Products_MirrorBodyMapping.asp  This system is the highest quality program on the market to detect changing or newly emerging moles.  One baseline set of images is all that is required.  There is no need to repeat the photo set unless you have a significant change in your body size or age.  Images should also be repeated after pregnancy or upon the maturity of a child. 

What You Get.  Every patient gets a CD containing the DermaGraphix program and all of their TBP images.  The CD is compatible with most Windows PCs and needs no special photo software.  Using the CD, a patient can zoom in on any area of the skin to check if a mole has changed. 

The First Year.  It is very important to note that the full impact of TBP does not occur until a year or more has passed from the baseline photo session.  Until then, all moles must be handled as if no photos exist.  If a suspicious mole currently exists, it should be removed.  Melanoma is too dangerous to wait 12 months to see if a suspicious mole changes. 

Who Should Have TBP?  Every person is at risk of melanoma.  We recommend that all patients ten years of age or older have a baseline set of images performed. 

Body Covering.  Male patients should wear briefs. Female patients should weat panties or bikini-type bottoms. Females have the option of exposing or covering their breasts for the photos. All of our photographers are female. We will provide a chaperone during sessions for all men and for women, if requested.

Insurance Coverage. Some insurance companies cover TBP for patients with a personal history of melanoma or abnormal moles. Some insurance companies do not cover TBP for any patients. We will submit a request to insurance companies for coverage, if requested.

Costs.  The cost of the photo session and production of the Dermagraphix CD for the patient to take home is $299. Office visits for skin examinations are billed seperately and are almost always covered by insurance.