Removing moles: costs and treatment in Switzerland
Do you want to have a mole removed? Your health insurer doesn’t always cover the costs. Comparis explains what you need to know.
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1. What are moles?
Moles are benign growths of the skin’s pigment cells. Depending on the language used, they are also referred to as liver spots or nevus.
Moles can already be present at birth or may develop later in childhood. Other moles can arise spontaneously due to cell growth at any age. They often appear on the back or legs suggesting a possible connection between moles and sunlight.
Some see their moles as beauty spots, whereas others find moles annoying and want to have them removed. Certain moles can even be dangerous. Left untreated, they can develop into malignant melanoma. Important to know: only every third melanoma grows out of a mole.
2. How can I recognize a dangerous mole?
Melanomas are dangerous. They tend to form offshoots, meaning they spread around the body. It’s therefore important to detect them early and get suspicious moles or skin discolourations checked to see if they are malignant or not.
You can usually distinguish a benign and dangerous mole from each other based on how they look. The ABCDE rule helps you detect signs of skin cancer early. If you suspect you have symptoms, you should always see your GP or dermatologist for an accurate diagnosis.
The ABCDE Rule
Each letter of the ABCDE rule refers to a particular characteristic of a mole. The following characteristics indicate a dangerous mole:
A for asymmetry: asymmetric shape, not round or oval
B for boundary: irregular, blurred edge
C for colour: change in colour or multicoloured
D for dynamic: rapid growth
E for elevation: grows in a knotty, gnarled fashion, with new spots/blemishes with a height of 1 mm or higher
Other warning signs include itching and leaking blood. In these cases, seek medical attention immediately.
Skin check tips
Thoroughly examine your skin once a month using the ABCDE rule. Ask your partner for help with areas that are difficult to see, such as your back or soles of your feet. Alternatively, use a mirror.
Make sure the area is well lit so you can see clearly. Don’t forget to check wrinkles in your skin and the gaps between your fingers and toes.
3. Checking your mole: can apps help?
There are several apps available that help you detect melanoma by letting you compare photos. Depending on the app, users’ photos may be checked and evaluated by software or a specialist.
Automated smartphone apps are not a replacement for visiting your doctor. Scientific studies say apps with software recognition still currently fail to detect many melanomas. Technology is advancing rapidly with the use of artificial intelligence. However, having your photos reviewed by specialists remains the best option currently.
Online check
It may be advisable to have moles checked online by a specialist before having them removed.
4. When do I have to go to the dermatologist?
If you’ve checked a mole with the ABCDE rule and think it’s dangerous, make an appointment with your doctor. The sooner a malignant mole is detected, the greater the chance of recovery. The doctor will examine you with a special magnifying glass (a reflected-light microscope or dermatoscope). If necessary, your doctor will take a tissue sample for laboratory examination.
Note on cancer prevention: even if you don’t think your moles are dangerous, people over 35 are recommended to routinely have their moles checked.
5. Do I have to pay for having my moles checked?
In general, basic insurance only covers the costs of medically necessary procedures. This doesn’t apply to preventative mole checks. However, you can have the costs of a check-up with your doctor covered by taking out supplemental insurance.
6. How can moles be removed?
Suspicious and malignant moles can only be removed surgically. The affected area is locally anaesthetized, cut out and the tissue sent to laboratory for examination.
Benign but unsightly moles may also only be surgically removed as of June 2019. The new NISSG laser law prohibits removing moles by laser. The reasons for this are:
Laser treatment leaves no tissue for a definitive laboratory check.
The mole is not always completely removed and can therefore regrow.
What to keep in mind when you have a mole surgically removed:
Only have moles removed by a specialist in a dermatologist’s office.
Ask your doctor if you should stop taking anticoagulant medication a few days before the procedure.
There must be no inflammation in the area to be operated on.
The procedure is performed on an outpatient basis under local anaesthesia. It usually only takes a few minutes.
You should smoke as little as possible or not at all in order to help the wound heal.
Avoid direct UV exposure for at least six weeks.
Superficial wound healing is complete after seven to 14 days. If you have stitches, these are usually removed within 14 days.
Never remove moles yourself. Unprofessional surgery or removal can cause serious infections and leave unsightly scars. If the mole is melanoma, there’s a high chance it will spread throughout your body and will therefore no longer be treatable.
7. What are the risks having a mole removed?
The risk of having moles removed is very low. The dermatologist will try to cause as little cosmetic damage as possible with minimal scarring. Nevertheless, in rare cases, the following complications can occur:
Post-procedure bleeding
Infections
Wound healing issues
Scarring is to be expected after a surgical procedure and can remain visible for your whole life.
8. Removing moles: what costs does health insurance cover?
If your mole is removed for medical reasons, your health insurer will cover the costs. Purely cosmetic treatments aren’t covered by your insurer. Here are some examples of the prices of some dermatological practices in Switzerland.
| Practice | Price in CHF |
|---|---|
| Swiss Med – Derm Art | from 150 |
| Beautyclinic – Dr. med. Nikolaus Linde | approx. 200 |
| Dr. med. Monika Hess Schmid | from 250 |
| Dermanence | from 250 |
| Dermatologisches Zentrum Zürich AG | 250–450 |
Are you a provider for the removal of moles and not yet listed? Contact us at aerzteverzeichnis@comparis.ch. We would be glad to review your request.
Sources:
Cochrane - how accurate are smartphone apps for detecting melanoma in adults?
BAO - removal of benign and malignant skin tumours and moles
This article was edited by Christian Greis, specialist in dermatology and venereology and founder of our partner derma2go.
