What Does Melanoma Look Like?

Melanomas usually have a shape that is asymmetrical (not the same on both sides), with uneven borders and patchy coloring, and they measure more than ¼ inch across.

It is important to know the difference between an ordinary, harmless mole and a mole that can grow into melanoma. An ordinary mole is usually an even-colored brown, tan, or black spot on the skin. It can be either flat or raised, round or oval. Ordinary moles are generally smaller than a pencil eraser. They may be present at birth or appear during childhood or adulthood. Several moles may appear on the skin at the same time, especially on areas of the skin that receive a lot of sunlight. Ordinary moles usually stay the same size, shape, and color for many years.

Moles that develop into melanoma have certain unusual features. They tend to look different from ordinary moles. A good way to remember what to look for is "ABCDE."

Melanomas are generally asymmetric, meaning that one side of the mole looks different from the other. Ordinary moles are usually symmetric, either round or oval.

Melanomas have uneven borders (edges) that are ragged, notched, or blurred. Ordinary moles have even borders.

Melanomas have uneven coloring. They may have patchy areas of brown, blue, red, tan, white, gray, or pink. Ordinary moles are usually an even shade of brown or tan.

Melanomas are usually more than ¼ inch in diameter (about the size of a pencil eraser) but some may be smaller than this size. Ordinary moles are usually smaller and stay the same size and shape.

Melanomas usually change in size, shape, or color over a short period of time. Ordinary moles stay the same size, shape, and color for many years.

Moles versus Melanoma

Ordinary Moles	Melanoma
Both sides of the mole look the same	One side of mole does not match the other (asymmetric)
Regular, defined borders	Ragged or irregular borders
Same color throughout	Uneven coloring
Measures less than ¼ inch across (size of a pencil eraser)	Measures more than ¼ inch across
Stays the same size, shape, and color	Changes in shape, size, or color

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