A New Letter for Melanoma

This type of mole exhibits all of the usual signs of melanoma.

The ABCD rule helps patients identify whether a mole might be cancerous. A is for asymmetry, B is for border irregularity, C is for color, and D is for a diameter greater than six millimeters, the size of a pencil eraser. Now, dermatologists at the School of Medicine recommend that the letter E be added to their alphabetic list.

Based on a review of the medical literature, they say the letter E—for “evolving”—should help physicians and patients spot suspicious lesions that change size or color, become itchy or tender, or begin to bleed.

“These types of lesions could be melanoma, and should be checked carefully by a dermatologist,” notes dermatologist David Polsky, M.D., Ph.D. Last year melanoma was expected to strike 55,100 Americans.