What is Melanoma?

Diagnosis

Although melanomas require a biopsy for diagnosis, a looking for the ‘ABCDEs’ of skin cancer can serve as a helpful tool to evaluate a mole that may be a melanoma:

• Asymmetry: One half of the mole or lesion does not match the other half. Normal moles are usually symmetrical, whereas melanomas are often irregular in shape.
• Border: The edges of the mole are irregular, scalloped, or poorly defined. Benign moles usually have smooth, even borders, but melanomas often have uneven, notched, or blurred edges.
• Color: The color of the mole is not uniform and may include different shades of brown, black, or even patches of red, white, or blue. A benign mole usually has a single shade of brown or black.
• Diameter: The mole is larger than 6 millimeters in diameter (about the size of a pencil eraser). However, melanomas can be smaller when first detected, so it’s important to pay attention to any noticeable changes, regardless of size.
• Evolving: The mole or skin lesion is changing in size, shape, color, or elevation, or another trait (such as bleeding, itching, or crusting). Any modification over time can be a warning sign of melanoma.

How Frequently Should I Be Screened for Melanoma?

The frequency of melanoma screenings can depend on your individual risk factors. As a general guideline, if you have any lesions that you are concerned about you should schedule a skin examination with a board-certified dermatologist. Depending on your risk factors, your dermatologist might recommend annual screenings, and for high-risk individuals or individuals with a personal history of melanoma, more frequent screenings may be recommended.

What Treatment Options Are Available for Melanoma?

If a suspicious lesion is found on your skin examination, your dermatologist will recommend a biopsy where a small amount of tissue is sampled and sent to the lab for further testing. If the biopsy confirms the presence of a melanoma, a personalized treatment approach will be determined based on the stage of the melanoma. Early-stage melanomas that have not yet spread to the lymph nodes can be removed by surgical excision in the office. Higher stage melanomas may require the removal of nearby lymph nodes for additional testing which requires referral to a surgical oncologist. Individuals with more advanced stage melanomas will be referred to an oncologist for additional imaging and consideration for chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or radiation therapy.

If you have a mole that you are concerned about or are due for your routine skin examination, contact our team at Evolve Dermatology to schedule an appointment with one of our board-certified dermatologists.