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What is the ABCDE rule?
What does the ABCDE rule mean for melanoma?
What is the ABCDE skin cancer rule?
What does ABCDEFG mean?
The ABCDE Rule of skin cancer is an easy-to-remember system for determining whether a mole or growth may be cancerous. When a doctor performs a skin check, they look at every lump, spot and mole on your entire body; areas of concern are assessed for signs of skin cancer using the ABCDE method of melanoma detection.
- Overview
- How is the ABCDE rule for melanoma used?
- How to examine your skin at home
- Other skin blemishes that may look like skin cancer
- When to see a doctor
- Types of skin cancer
- Takeaway
Skin cancer happens when atypical skin cells grow out of control. It tends to occur on skin that gets exposed to sunlight, but it can develop anywhere you have skin, including on mucous membranes.
If you have a blemish on your skin and wonder if it could be skin cancer, there’s a handy system to help you decide if you should contact a doctor. It’s called the ABCD rule for skin cancer.
The acronym stands for “Asymmetrical, Border, Color, Diameter.” There’s also a variation called the ABCDE rule, where the E stands for “Evolving.”
Read on to learn about the ABCDE rule, how it’s used, and signs that it’s time to contact a doctor.
The ABCDE rule tells you what to look for when examining your skin.
The A stands for asymmetrical. One half of a cancerous spot or mole may not match the other if you were to split the mole in half. Noncancerous moles are typically symmetrical.
B is for border. The border of a cancerous spot or mole may be irregular or blurred, or it may be pink or red in color. A typical spot or mole is likely to have well-defined borders.
Next up is color. A typical mole tends to be evenly colored, usually a single shade of brown. A cancerous spot may not be the same color all over.
It can be several shades of the same color or made up of several colors, including tan, brown, or black. They can even include areas of white, red, or blue.
Amelanotic melanomas are harder to detect. They don’t change melanin, so they’re the same color as your skin. They’re often diagnosed late because of this.
Research shows that regular, yearly skin exams during doctor visits along with regular skin self-examinations can decrease the depth of melanomas at diagnosis.
The most common sign of skin cancer is a change to your skin like an evolving mole, a sore that doesn’t heal, or a new growth.
Here’s what you need to examine your skin:
•good lighting
•full-length mirror
•hand mirror
Noncancerous skin spots that can look like cancer include:
•Dermatofibromas. Dermatofibromas are small, firm bumps ranging from pink to red to brown in color.
•Keloids. Keloids are raised growths that develop near wounds and are usually darker than the surrounding skin. They’re more common in people with dark skin.
•Moles. Moles are dark clusters of pigment-producing cells. They’re usually benign but can become cancerous.
•Seborrheic keratoses. Seborrheic keratoses are round or oval spots that are tan, brown, or black. They may appear in groups. They also tend to appear as you get older, are usually scaly, and look like they can be picked off.
•Skin tags. Skin tags are small flaps of skin that match the color of your skin.
According to the SCF, when melanoma is detected before it reaches the lymph nodes, the 5-year survival rate is 99 percent. So any spot or mole that lines up with the ABCDE rule should be examined by a doctor.
Other warning signs include:
•a spot that differs from nearby spots
•a spot that itches, bleeds, or causes pain
•a sore that won’t heal
When in doubt, it’s best to make an appointment to have it checked out. In the meantime, take a photo of the spot so the doctor can see if it’s evolving.
There are several types of skin cancer, with the most common being:
•basal cell carcinoma, which starts in round cells under the squamous cells
•squamous cell carcinoma, which starts in thin, flat cells on the top layer of the epidermis (skin)
•melanoma, which starts in the lower part of the epidermis in cells that make melanin
Other types include:
•merkel cell carcinoma
The ABCDE rule for skin cancer is a handy acronym that can help you identify potential skin cancers. The letters stand for “Asymmetrical, Border, Color, Diameter, Evolving.”
A new or changing spot or mole on your skin may be a sign of cancer. When in doubt, it’s best to have a doctor check it out.
- Ann Pietrangelo
Jun 28, 2023 · The ABCDE skin cancer rule is a way to help people spot the potential signs of melanoma. It stands for asymmetry, border, color, diameter, and evolving.
- Amanda Barrell
Aug 19, 2022 · The ABCDE rule for skin cancer can help. This mnemonic device helps outline the physical characteristics of skin abnormalities, which helps determine whether it has cancer features. Read on to learn more about this easy way to remember what to look for.
- 2 min
The 'ABCDE' of melanoma is an acronym designed to help the public and clinicians identify features in a skin lesion that may suggest an early or in situ melanoma (superficial spreading melanoma, lentigo maligna melanoma, or acral lentiginous melanoma).
May 10, 2024 · The ABCDE rule is in acronym used to help spot signs of melanoma on your skin. ABCDE stands for asymmetry, border, color, diameter and evolving. Learn how to examine your skin...
The ABCDE Rule originally described by Friedman et al. it is now included in The American Cancer Society’s The Seven Warning Signals of Cancer and is a simple method that allows you to identify a nevus at risk. This method takes into account the macroscopic characteristics of a nevus.
