Melanoma is a form of cancer of the skin that originates from the specialized cells, melanocytes, which produce the skin's pigment. Melanoma is not the most common form skin cancer, but it does cause the most fatalities, and its incidence rates are on the increase. When melanoma is caught early, it can have a 100 percent cure rate; therefore, it is essential to be able to identify the early signs of melanoma. Since the mid 1980's, the acronym ABCD has helped with early recognition of melanoma; in 2004, after reviewing data and health-related databases, Abbasi and colleagues, published an article in the "Journal of the American Medical Association," adding "E" to the criteria and the acronym.
Asymmetrical and Border
A is for asymmetrical. Normal, or benign, moles are usually symmetrical. If, a line is drawn down the centre, each half should match. All asymmetrical lesions should be considered suspicious.
B is for border. Melanomas can have an irregular border. The borders can appear scalloped or ragged, although melanomas can have an indistinct or hazy edge. A health care professional should examine any suspect skin lesions.
Color and Diameter
C is for color. Melanomas often have a variation of color, and may have different shades of red, brown, white, black and blue, and whenever a mole changes color, it should be checked.
D is for diameter. Any skin lesion that is larger than a quarter of an inch or 6 ml needs to be checked, though it is possible for melanomas to be smaller. However, any growth of an original skin lesion needs to be checked.
Evolving
E is for evolving. Any change in a lesion needs to be checked. Changes can include the onset of symptoms such as itching, crusting, and bleeding of a skin lesion all need to be medically checked. Changes in surface texture, color, width, length and height also need to be examined by a medical professional.
"Ugly Duckling"
A study, published in 1998 in the January edition of the "Archives of Dermatology," suggested that each person's moles are similar and that an irregularly-pigmented mole that looks different from other irregularly-pigmented moles on the same person, is an "ugly duckling" and likely to be a malignant melanoma.
New Lesion
Melanoma can also arise on the skin where there was no previous mole or lesion. Additionally, melanomas can appear on the soles of the feet, eyes, mucosal membranes and other organs; therefore, any new lesion should be examined by a medical professional.
References
- "Journal of the American Medical Association"; Early diagnosis of cutaneous melanoma: revisiting the ABCD criteria; Abbasi NR, et al; 2004
- "Archives of Dermatology"; The ugly duckling sign: identification of the common characteristic nevi in an individual as a basis for melanoma screening; Grob JJ, et al; 1998
