Melanoma is a very serious form of skin cancer because it can spread to other parts of the body and cause death. It is very important to find melanoma early and have it removed so that the chance for spread is very low. Performing skin self exams will help you catch it quicker and get it removed.
You can remember what to look for with a mnemonic called the ABCDEs of melanoma was created:
- A is for Asymmetry. Draw a pretend line down the middle of a mole. If one side of the skin lesion looks different than the other side, then it’s asymmetrical.
- B is for Border. An irregular, scalloped, or ill-defined (fuzzy) border can be concerning.
- C is for Color. We like a uniform or even. color. Light is better. If there is a very dark brown or black spot, or if there are areas of white, red, or blue in a brown lesion, this can be concerning.
- D is for Diameter. A spot larger than a pencil eraser (6mm or ¼ of an inch) should be examined closely.
- E is for Evolution. If you have a spot that’s changing – in size, shape or color, this can be a warning sign.
Any of these findings may indicate that the spot is not a benign mole but rather an early melanoma, and it should be brought to the attention of a dermatologist right away. Your dermatologist will perform a careful skin examination and may perform a biopsy to remove it to test for melanoma. After numbing the skin, the spot will be removed and sent to a specialized pathologist for the final diagnosis. A biopsy is a very quick procedure that is easy to heal from. If the dermatopathologist determines that the spot is a melanoma, your dermatologist will help you decide on the most appropriate treatment.
At Summit Dermatology, we take melanoma very seriously and are careful to always provide correct diagnosis and treatment as early as possible.
For more information about the ABCDEs of melanoma, visit the AAD website:
https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/skin-cancer/types/common/melanoma/symptoms