Melanoma physical examination
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Jesus Rosario Hernandez, M.D. [2].
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Overview
Physical Examination
- Although melanoma can occur anywhere, melanoma in women occurs more commonly on the extremities, and in men it occurs more commonly on the trunk or head and neck.
- Early signs in a nevus that would suggest a malignant change include the following:
- Darker or variable discoloration
- Itching
- Increase in size
- Development of satellites
- Ulceration or bleeding (late signs)
- The ABCDs for distinguishing benign nevi from malignant melanoma are:
- A - Asymmetry (suggestive of melanoma)
- B - Border irregularity (suggestive of melanoma)
- C - Color (irregular color or discoloration, very dark color suggestive of melanoma)
- D - Diameter (large size or increase in size suggestive of melanoma)
- Any suggestive findings detected on physical exam warrant a complete excisional biopsy.
