ABCD Criteria for Melanomas

We hear about the ABCD criteria for melanomas. Treatment and cure of melanomas rely on early and accurate diagnosis. The ABCD mnemonic was created for individuals and primary care physicians to create awareness of the clinical features of melanomas.

"A" stands for asymmetry

"B" stands for border irregularity

"C" stands for color variation in the same lesion, and

"D" stands for diameter greater than 6 mm

Not all melanomas have all ABCD characteristic, but a combination of some of the clinical features.  Benign growths can demonstrate the ABCD criteria. Therefore, the ABCD criteria are only a screening too for clinical evaluation of the skin lesion. Suspicious moles can be biopsied to establish the diagnosis.

Recently, the mnemonic changed to ABCDE in order to increase one's ability for earlier diagnosis of melanomas. The "E" stands for evolving lesions characterized by change over time. Such lesions are characterized by change in symmetry, change in borders, shape, diameter, and symptoms over time.  Evolving lesions may lack significant asymmetry, fairly regular borders, mild color variation and smaller than 6 mm, but represent a non-healing, changing pigmented lesion.

Moles and suspicious lesions that fulfill the ABCD criteria can be biopsied to confirm a diagnosis.  Early detection allows adequate treatment and cure, and identifies benign lesions which require no further treatment.  I along with the American Academy of Dermatology and the American Cancer Society, advocate the ABCD criteria for the early detection of melanomas and encourage you to perform a self-exam today.