Dermatology General Medicine B
Melanoma ABCDE Criteria
ABCDE (Asymmetry, Border irregularity, Colour variation, Diameter > 6 mm, Evolving) is a recognition aid for melanoma (Friedman 1985; E added by Abbasi 2004), not a validated score — an evolving lesion is suspicious on its own. In the UK, NICE NG12 refers a suspicious pigmented lesion on a suspected cancer pathway when the weighted 7-point checklist scores 3 or more, or when dermoscopy suggests melanoma.
References
- Friedman RJ, et al. Early detection of malignant melanoma: the role of physician examination and self-examination of the skin. CA Cancer J Clin. 1985;35(3):130–151.
- Abbasi NR, et al. Early diagnosis of cutaneous melanoma: revisiting the ABCD criteria. JAMA. 2004;292(22):2771–2776.
- NICE NG12. Suspected cancer: recognition and referral. 2015 (updated). Recommendations on melanoma (weighted 7-point checklist).
Related
Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.
Calculators
- Duke Criteria for Infective Endocarditis · Diagnosis
- Sgarbossa Criteria for MI in LBBB · Diagnosis
- 2023 Duke-ISCVID Criteria for Infective Endocarditis · Diagnosis
- PASI — Psoriasis Area and Severity Index · Diagnosis
- DLQI — Dermatology Life Quality Index · Diagnosis
- EASI — Eczema Area and Severity Index · Diagnosis
Drugs
- Chlorhexidine gluconate with isopropyl alcohol · Skin antiseptic
- Chlorhexidine with cetrimide · Skin antiseptic / wound cleanser
- Barrier creams and ointments · Topical skin protectant
- Cetuximab · Anti-EGFR Monoclonal Antibody — Head and Neck Cancer
- Cisplatin · Platinum Chemotherapy — Head and Neck Cancer
- Chlorhexidine · Antiseptic / disinfectant (bisbiguanide)
Pathways
- Suspicious Pigmented Lesion — Melanoma Pathway · NICE NG14 2015 / BAD
- Cellulitis and Erysipelas · NICE NG141 2019 / CREST
- Psoriasis — Severity Assessment and Step-Up Therapy · NICE NG153 2019 / BAD
- Atopic Eczema — Assessment and Step-Up Therapy · NICE NG95 2023
- Urticaria and Angioedema · BSACI / EAACI Guidelines 2022
- Acne Vulgaris — Grading and Treatment · NICE NG198 2021 / BAD
Decision support only — verify against a current formulary, NICE, or your local guideline before clinical use.