Your result indicates how many of the five ABCDE melanoma warning criteria are present in the mole being evaluated. Having zero criteria is reassuring but does not completely exclude melanoma. One criterion present warrants monitoring and consideration of dermatology referral, particularly if the criterion is Evolution (change over time). Two or more criteria present significantly increases concern for melanoma and warrants prompt dermatology referral for dermoscopy and possible biopsy.

No set number of ABCDE criteria is diagnostic of melanoma — the checklist is a screening tool to help identify suspicious lesions. Some melanomas (particularly amelanotic or nodular melanomas) may not meet any ABCDE criteria. Conversely, some benign lesions (such as seborrheic keratoses or dysplastic nevi) may meet multiple criteria. A biopsy is the only way to definitively diagnose melanoma.

Use this checklist for skin self-examination of moles and pigmented lesions. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends regular self-examination of the skin for new or changing moles. It is particularly useful when a patient or family member notices a mole that looks different from others (the ugly duckling sign) or when a mole appears to be changing.

Clinicians can use this as a quick screening framework during skin examinations, though dermoscopy provides far greater diagnostic accuracy than naked-eye ABCDE assessment alone. Any lesion meeting ABCDE criteria should be evaluated by a dermatologist with dermoscopy expertise.

The ABCDE criteria were designed primarily for superficial spreading melanoma, which is the most common subtype. They perform poorly for nodular melanoma (which is often symmetric, has regular borders, and is uniformly colored) and amelanotic melanoma (which lacks pigment). The EFG criteria (Elevated, Firm, Growing) have been proposed as a complement for nodular melanoma detection.

The ABCDE checklist is a screening tool with imperfect sensitivity and specificity. It cannot replace dermoscopy or histopathologic examination. Small melanomas (under 6mm) are increasingly recognized, which limits the usefulness of the diameter criterion. The Evolution criterion is often considered the most important single factor, as melanomas typically change over weeks to months, but it requires a history of observation. Patients with many atypical moles (dysplastic nevus syndrome) may have multiple moles meeting ABCDE criteria, making individual assessment more challenging.