Keeping Watch for Skin Cancers on the Head and Neck

Border Irregularity: The border of melanomas are usually ragged, notched, or blurred.

Color: Benign moles can be any color, but a single mole will be only one color. Melanoma often has a variety of hues and colors within the same lesion.

Diameter: While melanomas are usually greater than 6 mm (a pencil eraser) in diameter when diagnosed, they can be smaller. If a mole is different from others, or it changes, itches, or bleeds, even if it is smaller than 6 mm, see a specialist.

©2006 The Triological Society