EARLY DETECTION FOR CHILDREN OVER 11

In children over the age of 11, melanoma will present similar to how it would in adults.  

Melanoma will often present as a growing mole that looks different from other moles on the body. This is called the “Ugly duckling sign” where the melanoma sticks out from other moles like an ugly duckling. Most of these melanomas are dark (pigmented) and they can either be flat, called superficial spreading melanoma, or raised and firm, called nodular melanoma. 

For superficial spreading melanoma, about 60% will have the ‘ABCDE’ criteria: 

If you notice one or more of the following ABCDE’s below, please speak to you health care provider.

ASYMMETRY

The two halves of the mole have different shapes.

BORDER

The edge of the mole is irregular. It may look blurred, ragged, or notched. Pigment may spread into the skin around the mole.

COLOUR

The colour of the mole is uneven. The mole may have different shades of tan, brown, and black, sometimes with blue, gray, red, pink, or white.

DIAMETER

While melanomas are usually greater than 6 mm (the size of a pencil eraser) when diagnosed, they can be smaller.

EVOLUTION

The mole has changed in the past few weeks or months. It may be itchy, scaling or bleeding.

Nodular melanoma follow the ‘EFG’ criteria: 

• E = Elevated. The mole is elevated from the skin.   

• F = Firm. The mole is firm to touch. 

• G = Growing. The mole is growing in size.  

 The most common melanoma subtypes among children are spitzoid and superficial spreading [Hawryluk].