ABCDE’s of Melanoma

What do I need to know about melanoma?

One easy way to remember common characteristics of melanoma is to think alphabetically – the ABCDEs of melanoma.

ABCDE stands for asymmetry, border, color, diameter, and evolving.

These are the characteristics of skin damage that board-certified dermatologists look for when diagnosing melanomas:

• Asymmetry – Melanoma is often asymmetrical, which means the shape is not uniform. Non-cancerous moles are typically uniform and symmetrical in shape.
• Border – Melanoma often has borders that are not well defined or are irregular in shape, whereas non-cancerous moles usually have smooth, well-defined borders.
• Color – Melanomas are often more than one color or shade. Regular moles tend to be more uniform in color.
• Diameter – Melanomas are typically (not always) larger than 6 mm in diameter, which is the diameter of a standard yellow pencil.
• Evolution – Melanomas often change characteristics such as size, shape, or color. Unlike benign moles, melanomas tend to change over time.

Schedule a skin exam for you and your family members with Dr. Dupati at Apollo Dermatology!

We look forward to taking care of you at Apollo Dermatology!

Call us at 248-436-4888 or make an appointment with Dr. Dupati today.