Melanoma vs Dysplastic Nevus

How to tell the difference — key features compared side by side.

Feature
Melanoma
Dysplastic Nevus
Category
Malignant
Pre-cancerous
Key feature
The most dangerous skin cancer - but 99% survival when caught early. Learn the ABCDE signs.
Atypical moles with irregular features. The single strongest visual risk marker for melanoma.
Risk factors
Fair skin, light eyes, red or blond hair (Fitzpatrick types I-II); History of blistering sunburns, especially before age 18; More than 50 ordinary moles on the body
Family history of dysplastic nevi or melanoma; Fair skin (Fitzpatrick I-II); Sun exposure and sunburns
Action needed
A new mole or spot that looks different from your other moles (the ugly duckling sign)
Any atypical mole actively changing in size, shape, or color

Melanoma

Melanoma develops in melanocytes, the cells that produce melanin and give your skin its color. While it accounts for only about 1% of skin cancers, it causes most of skin cancer deaths. The good news: when detected at stage I, the five-year survival rate exceeds 99%.

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Dysplastic Nevus

A dysplastic nevus is a mole displaying irregular features: larger than 5mm, irregular borders, uneven pigmentation, and often a flat component surrounding a raised center (the fried egg appearance).

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Does yours look more like melanoma?

Quick self-check

Does this look like melanoma? Answer 2 questions.

Has this spot changed in size, shape, or color recently?

Does it have multiple colors or irregular, blurred edges?

Still not sure?

Our full ABCDE checker evaluates 5 clinical criteria dermatologists use.

Full ABCDE check →