Wednesday, December 29, 2010

ABCDE's of Melanoma

The ABCDE's of melanoma are signs to look for in moles which cause concern for malignant melanoma. If you see any of these signs, you should have the mole looked at by a dermatologist and possibly have a biopsy to make sure it's not malignant.

A: Asymmetry
The mole should look symmetric. If one side looks different than another, it may be a good idea to have it looked at by a doctor.

B: Border Irregularity
The border should be smooth. Jagged or irregular edges are signs for concern.

C: Color Variegation
The color of the mole should be uniform throughout. If there are multiple colors, or new colors such as black, blue, or red, you should have the mole checked.

D: Diameter
The diameter of a benign mole is generally no more than 4-5 millimeters, which is about the size of a pencil eraser. Moles that are larger than this size should be checked, especially if they are actively growing.

E: Evolution
If there is anything about the mole that is changing or evolving, it is a good idea to have the mole checked.

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