Atypical
moles are generally larger than normal
moles, variable in color, and have irregular
borders compared to regular moles. Atypical
moles occur most often on the back and also
occur commonly on the chest, abdomen and legs
in women, but they may occur anywhere on the
skin surface. Multiple atypical moles on the
skin represent an increased risk for melanoma
in that individual. When examining moles,
consider the following “ABCD”
features:
| • |
Asymmetry
– One half of the mole does not match
the other half. |
| • |
Border
irregularity –ragged, notched or blurred
borders instead of smooth round borders. |
| • |
Color
– The pigmentation/color of the mole
is not uniform. |
| • |
Diameter
– moles larger than a pencil eraser
(6mm) are more likely to be atypical. |
Moles that meet some or all of these criteria
should be checked by a dermatologist. |
