4. The evaluation of
melanocytic lesions:
Colors
Symmetry
Organization
5. Black Benign lesions generally
Brown have 3 or less colors. The
most common colors being
Gray
light brown, dark brown,
Blue
and black.
Red
White
Yellow Malignant lesions generally
have more than 3 colors.
6. Symmetry/ Asymmetry
Symmetry refers to the distribution of colors and
structures on either side of the axis and not the shape of
the lesion.
Biaxial Symmetry Monaxial Symmetry
7. Asymmetry
Asymmetry refers to the distribution of colors and
structures on either side of the axis; there is no
mirror image. Malignant lesions usually have
biaxial asymmetry
Monaxial Asymmetry Biaxial Asymmetry
8. Organization/ Disorganization
Organization refers to
the uniformity of
structures and their
distribution in specific
locations as seen in
benign patterns.
Disorganization refers
to the non-uniformity of
structures and their
departure from benign
patterns.
9. Dermoscopic Patterns
Malignant
Nevi Melanoma
2
1 3
Dermoscopy helps the clinician decide which category the lesion
should be placed in:
(1) Benign Patterns
(2) Uncertain Patterns
(3) Malignant Patterns
