Utility of Lesion Diameter in the Clinical Diagnosis of Cutaneous Melanoma

Prognostic significance of tumor size for primary invasive cutaneous melanoma: A population‐based study, 2004‐2016

“…Five large subgroups were ultimately used in this study (≤6, 7‐12, 13‐30, 31‐42, and >42 mm). In this research, 20.6% of tumors were smaller than 6 mm, which was in accordance with the previous reports of 20%‐30% CM with tumor size ≤6 mm among primary invasive CM 19‐21 . Tumors with size 7‐12 mm accounted for the main part of all melanomas (34.2%).…”

Suspected melanoma only when the lesion is greater than 6mm may harm patients

“…The patients themselves or family members detected most cases of CM. ( 10 - 12 ) Our results point to an important limitation of the ABCD rule, as a prevention public warning, and reinforce the studies of other authors, indicating the need to reconsider the use of the diameter criterion (>6mm). It should be taken into consideration the number of cases of CM with diameter <6mm.…”

Reply to: “Comment on ‘Re-evaluating the ABCD criteria using a consecutive series of melanomas’”

“…We found that compared to prior studies, more melanomas in our population were, in fact, less than 6 mm in diameter. Thus, we supported the conclusion that Abbasi et al 4 put forth that the diameter criterion should not be used in isolation but, rather, in conjunction with other criteria. Most melanomas in our sample displayed at least 2 ABCD criteria, and more than 40% met all 4.…”