[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2014\/05\/how-to-tell-a-mole-from-melanoma\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2014\/05\/how-to-tell-a-mole-from-melanoma\/","headline":"Know Your ABCDEs: How to Tell a Mole From Melanoma","name":"Know Your ABCDEs: How to Tell a Mole From Melanoma","description":"Melanoma is often difficult to diagnose and can spread quickly if not treated. Learn more about spotting melanoma and when to contact a dermatologist.","datePublished":"2014-05-04","dateModified":"2022-04-25","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/dermatology-regions","name":"Dermatology","url":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/dermatology-regions","sameAs":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/dermatology\/","parentOrganization":"UPMC"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UPMC HealthBeat","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/how-to-tell-a-mole-from-melanoma.jpg","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/how-to-tell-a-mole-from-melanoma.jpg","height":325,"width":754},"url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2014\/05\/how-to-tell-a-mole-from-melanoma\/","about":["Cancer Care","Skin Care"],"wordCount":145,"keywords":["dermatologist","dermatology","Melanoma","self-screening","skin cancer"],"articleBody":"Melanoma, a potentially deadly form of skin cancer, is often difficult to diagnose and can spread \u2014 or metastasize \u2014 if it is not detected and removed quickly.When found early, however, melanoma can often be treated with a simple surgery. Routine self-examinations are an important part of identifying melanoma in its earliest, and most treatable, stages.In order to determine if a mole may be melanoma, follow the ABCDE method of self-screening:If you have a mole that fits one or more of these criteria, you should see a dermatologist as soon as possible so he or she can determine if a biopsy is necessary. You can also ask your primary care doctor to check your skin for signs of skin cancer at your annual physical. Remember: early detection is key!Editor's Note: This article was originally published on May 4, 2014, and was last reviewed on April 20, 2022."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"2014","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2014\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"05","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2014\/\/05\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Know Your ABCDEs: How to Tell a Mole From Melanoma","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2014\/05\/how-to-tell-a-mole-from-melanoma\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]