Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer. If you find a new mole or skin growth or notice a change in an existing mole, you should get it checked out by a dermatologist.
Dr. Cecilia Larocca, a dermatologist at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, explains that melanoma is often thought of as cancer of the mole—but it doesn’t always appear as a mole. Melanoma is a cancer of the pigment-producing cells, which are found throughout your body.
These pigment-producing cells, called melanocytes, can become grouped together to form a mole. But melanoma can also develop in other parts of the body, such as in the rectal area or eyes.
According to Dr. Larocca, there’s an easy way to check if a mole needs further evaluation. It’s called the ABCDE rule:
A: Asymmetry of the mole, or when one half of the mole doesn’t match the other
B: Border irregularity or Bleeding
C: Color change either lightening or darkening of a mole
D: Diameter greater than 6mm or enlarging moles
E: Evolving size, shape or color
If your provider is concerned about a mole, they’ll likely ask you additional questions to get a better idea of your risk factors. They may want to know about your:
- Sun exposure history
- Previous tanning bed use
- Family history of melanoma
- History of blistering sunburns
- Underlying health problems or immune deficiencies
A workup for melanoma should also include a full body exam to look for any suspicious areas on the skin you may not have noticed. This helps create a better picture of whether your mole is atypical. The best way to catch melanoma early is to perform regular self-exams and see a dermatologist for a yearly skin exam.
Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.
Dr. Cecilia Larocca is a dermatologist at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Read More
Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer. If you find a new mole or skin growth or notice a change in an existing mole, you should get it checked out by a dermatologist.
Dr. Cecilia Larocca, a dermatologist at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, explains that melanoma is often thought of as cancer of the mole—but it doesn’t always appear as a mole. Melanoma is a cancer of the pigment-producing cells, which are found throughout your body.
Read More These pigment-producing cells, called melanocytes, can become grouped together to form a mole. But melanoma can also develop in other parts of the body, such as in the rectal area or eyes.
According to Dr. Larocca, there’s an easy way to check if a mole needs further evaluation. It’s called the ABCDE rule:
A: Asymmetry of the mole, or when one half of the mole doesn’t match the other
B: Border irregularity or Bleeding
C: Color change either lightening or darkening of a mole
D: Diameter greater than 6mm or enlarging moles
E: Evolving size, shape or color
If your provider is concerned about a mole, they’ll likely ask you additional questions to get a better idea of your risk factors. They may want to know about your:
- Sun exposure history
- Previous tanning bed use
- Family history of melanoma
- History of blistering sunburns
- Underlying health problems or immune deficiencies
A workup for melanoma should also include a full body exam to look for any suspicious areas on the skin you may not have noticed. This helps create a better picture of whether your mole is atypical. The best way to catch melanoma early is to perform regular self-exams and see a dermatologist for a yearly skin exam.
Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.
Dr. Cecilia Larocca is a dermatologist at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Read More
