Pigmented lesions

It is important to watch these areas to monitor any changes in shape, size or colour.

Using a simple ABCDE checklist you can look for signs of irregularity*:

A Asymmetry - If you drew a line through the middle of a mole would both halves match?
B Border - Does the mole have a distinct border (melanomas have uneven borders).
C Colour - Is the mole one colour?
D Diameter - Is the mole wider than 6mm across?
E Evolving - Is the mole changing in size, shape or colour?

You should seek immediate medical attention if you notice any changes to existing lesions or abnormal looking new lesions.*Source: MacMillan Cancer Support

Related tests and scans

Dermoscope

A dermoscope is a microscope like device used by dermatologists to examine individual skin lesions more closely.

Excisional biopsy

An excisional biopsy may be done if a needle biopsy can not be used, or if a needle biopsy does not give a definite result.

Fine needle biopsy

A biopsy is a procedure to remove and examine a sample of tissue from a lump or suspicious area of the body.

Image guided aspiration and biopsy

Mole assessment

Over the past 25 years, rates of malignant melanoma in Britain have risen faster than any other common cancer.

Mole mapping

We provide a state of the art computer-assisted mole mapping and digital photo-dermoscopy surveillance service.

Your sentinel nodes are a part of your lymph node system - the system that protects your body from infection and disease. Sentinel nodes are the first nodes that may be subject to the spread of cancer of the breast or melanoma (mole cancer).

Related treatments and procedures

Dermatological surgery

Dermatological surgery includes benign (non-cancerous) and malignant (cancerous) surgery of the skin.

Excision of skin lesion

Skin lesions are found on or just below the skin. Examples of skin lesions are epidermoid cysts, lipomata (benign tumour of fatty tissue), skin tags and moles.

Facial resurfacing

Laser resurfacing services are available that use the new generation of carbon dioxide lasers.

Mole removal

Moles are a form of pigmented lesion. Benign (non cancerous) lesions can simply be left alone. However if your mole bothers you in any way your consultant may recommend removal (excision).

Skin assessment clinic

Our experienced consultants can visually assess skin lesions and (if necessary) scan them using state-of-the-art scanning equipment to analyse and detect even the smallest changes. The procedure is painless, quick and safe.

Skin pigmentation

Treatment of disorders of pigmentation of the skin.

Skin surgery

Many of our hospitals offer surgery for benign (non-cancerous) and malignant (cancerous) conditions of the skin.