Etymed
melanoma
Definition
A malignant tumor derived from melanocytes (pigment-producing cells)
Clinical context
A 45-year-old man presents with a changing mole on his back that has been bleeding intermittently over the past month. The lesion is asymmetrical with irregular borders and varies in color from black to brown to red. Dermoscopy reveals atypical pigmentation and architectural disorder. Biopsy confirms malignant transformation of melanocytes. This case illustrates the classic clinical features of melanoma, which can be remembered using the ABCD criteria for melanoma detection.
Mnemonic
ABCDEF for melanoma: Asymmetry, Border irregularity, Color variation, Diameter >6mm, Evolving changes, and Elevation