Can Malignant Melanoma be less than 5-6mm?

I’m aware of ABCDE when looking for melanoma. Asymmetric, Rugged borders, multiple colours, Diameter 5-6mm and Evolving.

But moles >5-6 mm don’t appear by magic one day. A mole of 2-3 mm could also be getting dangerous an its possible they could metastasise before they even reach 5-6 or be on the point of metastasis at that size. So shouldn’t any odd shaped mole be checked if it’s visible and the criteria be A, B, C, ?D, E…?

Reply 1

Anonymous #2

Yes of course. Please get a referral to a dermatologist if you are concerned about any moles you have.

Sometimes melanoma doesn't always look obvious or exactly fit those guidelines, or it could be a different type of skin cancer. Just because a mole is large doesn't mean it's a skin cancer.

Reply 2

artful_lounger

Universities Forum Helper

Go to your GP and ask.

Reply 3

black tea

Yes. Any one of those things could suggest a melanoma, it doesn't have to be all of those (though having one or more also doesn't mean that you have melanoma for certain or anything like that). If you have at least one, you should get it checked out.