› Forums › General Melanoma Community › The A’B’C’D’E’s of Melanoma
- This topic has 18 replies, 4 voices, and was last updated 9 years, 3 months ago by
Cathy M.
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- June 1, 2016 at 12:23 pm
I just recently went to a dermatologist for a mole checkup. I read an artcile online about the signs of melanoma and noticed almost all of my moles meet the A'B'C's of melanoma. I do not have many/if any large moles over 6mm and as far as I can tell none of my moles are evolving.
But none of my moles are the same shade and even shaped. Some are shaped like cobwebs, some look like star fish, some are shaped like certain countries but very few are a perfect circle. The same goes for the color. Some are dark brown/almost black, some are light brown, some are very very light brown…. some have different shades of brown in them.
My derm took a look at me from a distance, had me turn around, took another look. Then examined some moles up close with a light and magnifying glass. He then took note of my hair color ( dark brown- Graying), eye color and asked me about my ethnicity ( italian, german and part irish), Asked about how my skin reacts to the sun and if I burn or tan, how deep I get tan etc… said something about me being a high type2-3 ?? Asked me if anything bothered me or if any of my moles itched, bled, or were growing. He then asked if anyone in my family had skin cancer ? I said my dad had a few basal cells and he smiled and said that doesnt count. He then sent me on my way and said everything looks good. He told me I need to come back every 2 years for a check.
I do not know if this was enough. I have a whole lot of moles on my body and none of them look normal in my opinion. Should I go to another dermatologist or is this common practice among them ?
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- June 1, 2016 at 1:44 pm
For me, "E" evolving is the most important thing. That and the ugly duckling – something that looks totally different from all your other moles. Many derms do "Mole Mapping" or at least use some type of photography to look for change. If you think that all of your moles are stable, then maybe take some pictures of the more unusual looking one (or all if you are game). Watch for change. If something changes, that is the time to seek a biopsy. If something itches (that is change too), then seek a biopsy. If something shows up that is new and different, seek a biopsy. But if your moles seem stable – even if they aren't the most normal looking things, that is considered ok. I don't have a ton of moles but the ones I have all have some of the ABC characteristics. I don't worry about them at all unless they change. I've had 3 primary melanomas and am high risk for others. CHANGE is #1 in my book.
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- June 1, 2016 at 1:44 pm
For me, "E" evolving is the most important thing. That and the ugly duckling – something that looks totally different from all your other moles. Many derms do "Mole Mapping" or at least use some type of photography to look for change. If you think that all of your moles are stable, then maybe take some pictures of the more unusual looking one (or all if you are game). Watch for change. If something changes, that is the time to seek a biopsy. If something itches (that is change too), then seek a biopsy. If something shows up that is new and different, seek a biopsy. But if your moles seem stable – even if they aren't the most normal looking things, that is considered ok. I don't have a ton of moles but the ones I have all have some of the ABC characteristics. I don't worry about them at all unless they change. I've had 3 primary melanomas and am high risk for others. CHANGE is #1 in my book.
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- June 1, 2016 at 2:43 pm
Thank you for the response. Am I correct to assume that when the derm stood about 4 feet away from me and viewed me from afar he was looking for that " ugly duckling" ? That is also good to hear that I am not alone with my moles not meeting the A'B'C's of Melanoma. While I am watching for change do moles have a natural progression ? I know when I was younger I noticed some moles started as a light brown spot and by overtime would sort of fill in and become a " complete" darkish brown spot. I think and hope at 36 most of my new moles should stop appearing ?
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- June 1, 2016 at 2:43 pm
Thank you for the response. Am I correct to assume that when the derm stood about 4 feet away from me and viewed me from afar he was looking for that " ugly duckling" ? That is also good to hear that I am not alone with my moles not meeting the A'B'C's of Melanoma. While I am watching for change do moles have a natural progression ? I know when I was younger I noticed some moles started as a light brown spot and by overtime would sort of fill in and become a " complete" darkish brown spot. I think and hope at 36 most of my new moles should stop appearing ?
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- June 1, 2016 at 4:41 pm
In theory, most people stop getting moles when they reach their 30's. But some people like those with dysplastic nevus syndrome might continue getting new moles through life. You are looking for change, or "new and different". Melanoma shows up on new lesions as often as it does in existing lesions. As for the derm standing 4' away, no clue but definitely possible about looking for the ugly duckling.
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- June 1, 2016 at 4:41 pm
In theory, most people stop getting moles when they reach their 30's. But some people like those with dysplastic nevus syndrome might continue getting new moles through life. You are looking for change, or "new and different". Melanoma shows up on new lesions as often as it does in existing lesions. As for the derm standing 4' away, no clue but definitely possible about looking for the ugly duckling.
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- June 2, 2016 at 1:21 am
I agree with Janner – look for the Ugly Duckling. My mole passed the ABCD test according to what I read on the internet, however, my mole changed colors and became that "ugly duckling". I made an appointment with the dermatolgist just to be safe. The dermatologist biopsied the mole and, low and behold, it came back positive. I'm very fortunate to have found a reliabale dermatologist.
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- June 2, 2016 at 1:21 am
I agree with Janner – look for the Ugly Duckling. My mole passed the ABCD test according to what I read on the internet, however, my mole changed colors and became that "ugly duckling". I made an appointment with the dermatolgist just to be safe. The dermatologist biopsied the mole and, low and behold, it came back positive. I'm very fortunate to have found a reliabale dermatologist.
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- June 2, 2016 at 1:21 am
I agree with Janner – look for the Ugly Duckling. My mole passed the ABCD test according to what I read on the internet, however, my mole changed colors and became that "ugly duckling". I made an appointment with the dermatolgist just to be safe. The dermatologist biopsied the mole and, low and behold, it came back positive. I'm very fortunate to have found a reliabale dermatologist.
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- June 1, 2016 at 4:41 pm
In theory, most people stop getting moles when they reach their 30's. But some people like those with dysplastic nevus syndrome might continue getting new moles through life. You are looking for change, or "new and different". Melanoma shows up on new lesions as often as it does in existing lesions. As for the derm standing 4' away, no clue but definitely possible about looking for the ugly duckling.
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- June 1, 2016 at 2:43 pm
Thank you for the response. Am I correct to assume that when the derm stood about 4 feet away from me and viewed me from afar he was looking for that " ugly duckling" ? That is also good to hear that I am not alone with my moles not meeting the A'B'C's of Melanoma. While I am watching for change do moles have a natural progression ? I know when I was younger I noticed some moles started as a light brown spot and by overtime would sort of fill in and become a " complete" darkish brown spot. I think and hope at 36 most of my new moles should stop appearing ?
-
- June 1, 2016 at 1:44 pm
For me, "E" evolving is the most important thing. That and the ugly duckling – something that looks totally different from all your other moles. Many derms do "Mole Mapping" or at least use some type of photography to look for change. If you think that all of your moles are stable, then maybe take some pictures of the more unusual looking one (or all if you are game). Watch for change. If something changes, that is the time to seek a biopsy. If something itches (that is change too), then seek a biopsy. If something shows up that is new and different, seek a biopsy. But if your moles seem stable – even if they aren't the most normal looking things, that is considered ok. I don't have a ton of moles but the ones I have all have some of the ABC characteristics. I don't worry about them at all unless they change. I've had 3 primary melanomas and am high risk for others. CHANGE is #1 in my book.
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- June 4, 2016 at 2:23 pm
Totally understand your concerns. My husband is Stage IV, no original primary with mets to lungs and liver. He has started popping up these new places on his scalp, face and back. The one on the back looked "text book" but the others of the scalp and face were pale colored. One was even disappearing back under the skin. Another place on his face was nothing more than a red dot but you could feel a little lump underneath. He thought maybe a piece of metal had gotten under the skin while he was grinding in the garage). Trip to the derm and all of these came back metastatic melanoma. So…yes…"text book" is not necessarily the way to go. Look for new or changing…evolving melanoma is a tricky beast !! Good luck with your vigilance !!
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- June 4, 2016 at 2:23 pm
Totally understand your concerns. My husband is Stage IV, no original primary with mets to lungs and liver. He has started popping up these new places on his scalp, face and back. The one on the back looked "text book" but the others of the scalp and face were pale colored. One was even disappearing back under the skin. Another place on his face was nothing more than a red dot but you could feel a little lump underneath. He thought maybe a piece of metal had gotten under the skin while he was grinding in the garage). Trip to the derm and all of these came back metastatic melanoma. So…yes…"text book" is not necessarily the way to go. Look for new or changing…evolving melanoma is a tricky beast !! Good luck with your vigilance !!
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- June 4, 2016 at 2:23 pm
Totally understand your concerns. My husband is Stage IV, no original primary with mets to lungs and liver. He has started popping up these new places on his scalp, face and back. The one on the back looked "text book" but the others of the scalp and face were pale colored. One was even disappearing back under the skin. Another place on his face was nothing more than a red dot but you could feel a little lump underneath. He thought maybe a piece of metal had gotten under the skin while he was grinding in the garage). Trip to the derm and all of these came back metastatic melanoma. So…yes…"text book" is not necessarily the way to go. Look for new or changing…evolving melanoma is a tricky beast !! Good luck with your vigilance !!
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- June 4, 2016 at 2:26 pm
I think when the derm stood the distance away from you they were looking for something different…something that stood out. If you have any particular ones that are concerning to you even given the all clear with the derm, I would question it with the derm again pointing out your concern. It doesn't take long for a biopsy and results to come to give some peace of mind.
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- June 4, 2016 at 2:26 pm
I think when the derm stood the distance away from you they were looking for something different…something that stood out. If you have any particular ones that are concerning to you even given the all clear with the derm, I would question it with the derm again pointing out your concern. It doesn't take long for a biopsy and results to come to give some peace of mind.
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- June 4, 2016 at 2:26 pm
I think when the derm stood the distance away from you they were looking for something different…something that stood out. If you have any particular ones that are concerning to you even given the all clear with the derm, I would question it with the derm again pointing out your concern. It doesn't take long for a biopsy and results to come to give some peace of mind.
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Tagged: cutaneous melanoma
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