Diagnosing melanoma can be challenging both physician and patient, but there is a simple way to remember what to look for in new growths or changes to existing skin marks: the "ABCDEs of Melanoma." The ABCDEs is a helpful tool in evaluating a skin mark's growth, size, shape, color and symmetry.

Not all moles are cancerous and may show some of the above ABCDE characteristics that are also present in melanoma, but the more ABCDE features a mole has the more likely it could be melanoma. It is always wise to be overcautious when evaluating suspected melanoma. While pictures are helpful to self-examine your skin, only a physician will be able to diagnose melanoma.

	Asymmetrical moles are disproportionate with less well-defined edges instead of forming a symmetrical round circle with more well-defined edges.
	Borders are irregular. A typical non-cancerous mole has smooth borders whereas melanoma may have more jagged, uneven borders that can vary in thickness.
	Instead of being one uniform color, melanoma lesions or moles often show multiple colors, such as brown, black, red, gray, white or pink.
	Diameter greater than 6mm—about the size of a pencil eraser.
	A melanoma will grow rapidly and change, and may take on an elevated appearance compared to the surrounding healthy skin.

A variety of tests and procedures may be used to detect skin cancer, including:

• Skin examination A doctor or nurse examines the skin for moles, birthmarks or other pigmented areas that look abnormal in color, size, shape or texture.
• Laboratory tests
• Chest X-ray
• Biopsy Tissue samples are examined under a microscope to determine what types of cells are present.
• Wide local excision In this surgical procedure, some of the normal tissue surrounding the area where melanoma was located is removed and checked for cancer cells.
• Lymph node mapping and sentinel lymph node biopsy During surgery to remove a melanoma or related skin tumor, a radioactive substance and/or blue dye is injected which flows through lymph ducts to the sentinel node or nodes. Cancer cells are likely to spread to these nodes first. Nodes containing the radioactive substance or dye are removed and checked for cancer cells. If no cancer is detected, it may not be necessary to remove additional nodes.
• CT or CAT (computerized axial tomography) scan This procedure uses a computer connected to an X-ray machine to obtain detailed pictures of areas inside the body. A dye may be used to help visualize organs or tissues more clearly.
• MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) MRI creates a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body, using the combination of a powerful magnet, radio waves and computer imaging. 
• PET (positron emission tomography) scan This scan is used to identify malignant cells even before an actual “lump or bump” can be detected in a physical exam, or on CAT or MRI scans. A small amount of radionuclide glucose (sugar) is injected into a vein. Because cancer cells divide more rapidly than normal cells, they take up more glucose than normal cells and therefore appear brighter in the scan.

Regardless of skin cancer history, everyone should:

• Self-examine their own skin monthly
• Be examined by a physician annually. Those with a history of melanoma may need to be seen more often.
• Get to know the pattern of moles, spots, freckles and other skin marks to recognize any changes so that they can be discussed with a physician. Don't wait to be seen—schedule an appointment to be seen right away.