Skin Cancer Health Center

Often the first sign of melanoma is a change in the shape, color, size or feel of an existing mole. Melanoma may also appear as a new mole.

Thinking of "ABCDE" can help you remember what to look for as you look for the danger signs of melanoma:

  • Asymmetry. The shape of one half of the mole does not match the other half.
  • Border that’s uneven. The edges of a suspicious mole are often ragged, notched or blurred in outline. The pigment may spread into the surrounding skin.
  • Color that’s uneven. Shades of black, brown and tan may be present. Areas of white, gray, red, pink or blue may also be seen in moles you’ll want to have checked out.
  • Diameter. There is a change in size, usually an increase. Melanomas can be tiny, but most are larger than the size of a pea (about 1/4 inch).
  • Evolving. The mole has changed over the past few weeks or months. Melanomas can vary greatly in how they look. Many show all of these “ABCDE” features. However, some may show changes or abnormal areas in only one or two of the ABCDE features.

Basal cell carcinoma starts in the outermost layer of the skin called the epidermis. It is usually found on areas of the body that are regularly exposed to sunlight and UV radiation, such as the forehead, nose, temples on the head, or say, the left forearm of a person who drove a truck for a living. Basal cell carcinoma is usually painless and may appear as a bump or growth that appears white/light pink, flesh colored or brown, or pearly/waxy looking. Other presentations can included a non-healing sore that bleeds easily, or oozes or crusts regularly. There may be a depressed area around the sore, or appear to be a scar-like area without a previous injury.

Squamous cell carcinoma has similar risk factors as BCC, mainly being prolonged exposure to sunlight and UV radiation over the years. It commonly appears on sun-exposed tissues, such as the face, ears, neck, arms and hands. Symptoms of a SCC will present as a growing bump with a scaly, rough surface, and flat, reddish patches

Review Date: 
March 28, 2012
Last Updated:
June 28, 2013
Source:
dailyrx.com