When evaluating skin lesions, it’s clear that both color and structure matter. The common acronym for diagnosing malignant melanoma – ABCDE (asymmetry, borders, colors, diameter, enlarging) – includes both, and dermatologists and pathologists involved in diagnosis are trained to recognize abnormalities in either. But just how much weight each factor carries has been unknown until recently, when the results of a study conducted at the 2014 Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center dermoscopy course were published in JAMA Dermatology (1).

Read the full article now Log in or register to read this article in full and gain access to The Pathologist’s entire content archive. It’s FREE and always will be! Login Email Password Forgot your password? Keep me logged in Log in Or register now - it’s free and always will be! You will benefit from: Unlimited access to ALL articles

News, interviews & opinions from leading industry experts

Receive print (and PDF) copies of The Pathologist magazine Register Or Login via Social Media Twitter By clicking on any of the above social media links, you are agreeing to our Privacy Notice.

About the Author

Michael Schubert

While obtaining degrees in biology from the University of Alberta and biochemistry from Penn State College of Medicine, I worked as a freelance science and medical writer. I was able to hone my skills in research, presentation and scientific writing by assembling grants and journal articles, speaking at international conferences, and consulting on topics ranging from medical education to comic book science. As much as I’ve enjoyed designing new bacteria and plausible superheroes, though, I’m more pleased than ever to be at Texere, using my writing and editing skills to create great content for a professional audience.